The EU remains committed to its sanctions against Russia, despite any potential changes in U.S. policy, according to EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. The bloc is preparing its 16th round of sanctions, which is set to be unveiled next week to mark the third anniversary of the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
These new measures come alongside existing sanctions that target Russian officials, businesses, and the country’s financial systems.
Dombrovskis emphasized that the EU would continue to pursue its own course when it comes to sanctions, independent of the U.S. He pointed out that the EU must take more responsibility for its security, especially in light of recent moves by the Trump administration.
The new sanctions, set to focus on Russia’s energy sector, aim to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiations and raise the cost of continuing the war. Additionally, the EU will target countries that help Russia bypass sanctions.
In contrast, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has suggested that the EU should reconsider its sanctions, urging a shift in line with U.S. policy. He believes that once the Ukraine conflict ends, Russia will likely be reintegrated into the global economy and European energy markets. Moscow, for its part, has consistently criticized Western sanctions, calling them illegal and ineffective in isolating Russia.
