Media reports EU improbable to meet demand from US senators on Russia sanctions
(MENAFN) The European Union is unlikely to approve its next set of sanctions against Russia before the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, despite pressure from U.S. senators calling for joint action, EUobserver reported on Tuesday.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, along with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, has urged the U.S. and EU to target China and India’s purchases of discounted Russian oil. Both senators recently visited Kiev and then France to encourage the EU to take a tougher stance on Moscow.
Four EU diplomats reportedly told EUobserver that the bloc is not expected to meet the mid-June deadline, when the G7 summit in Alberta is set to take place (June 15–17). EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the 18th sanctions package is in progress but did not give a specific timeline.
Since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Western nations have imposed numerous sanctions on Russia, including bans on oil exports, financial restrictions, and the freezing of approximately $300 billion in foreign assets. The EU most recently adopted its 17th sanctions package in May.
Graham, a strong advocate for aggressive measures against Russia, is promoting legislation to impose a 500% tariff on countries that continue purchasing Russian energy and resources — a move mainly targeting India and China. He claims to have support from 82 U.S. senators.
While former President Donald Trump has warned that such EU-led efforts might worsen the Ukraine conflict, he acknowledged there may eventually be a time for broader sanctions. Meanwhile, Moscow has defended its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure as retaliation for increased drone attacks on Russian civilian sites and has accused U.S. leaders of misleading Trump about the situation.
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