The European Union has formally expressed dissatisfaction with the lifting of United States sanctions on Russian oil, urging increased pressure on Moscow.
President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply millions of tons of diesel fuel to U.S. and global markets.
Speaking in Luxembourg on Monday, EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas announced ministers adopted nearly 1,600 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex.
“This is the single largest expansion of our sanctions list since Russia’s war started…making it harder, slower, and more expensive for Russia to produce weapons it uses to kill Ukrainians,” she said.
The latest action affects more than half the production chain for ballistic missiles, cooperation with North Korea, and those participating in the ”sham vote” in occupied Ukrainian territories, among others.
Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission, told Washington that “only pressure works with Russia,” adding that concerted sanctions ensure a bigger effect.
The EU has expanded its counter-disinformation training to 65 countries, taking down dozens of websites and hundreds of ads linked to the Russian mercenary recruitment network in Africa.
The alliance is planning 100 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s FIMI infrastructure, while exploring closer collaboration on security and defence with like-minded partners.