EU must focus on a new sanctions package to suffocate Russia's economy

14/5/2025 17:18

The European Union must focus on a new sanctions package to suffocate Russia's economy and force President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, France's foreign minister said on Wednesday.



Speaking after the EU adopted a 17th sanctions package, Jean-Noel Barrot said that the impact of sanctions had been insufficient so far, and the bloc needed to work with the United States, where Congress has prepared crippling measures should U.S. President Donald Trump decide to pressure Moscow.

"We are adopting today a 17th sanctions (package)," Barrot told leading news channel BFM TV. "We will need to go further because the sanctions so far have not dissuaded Vladimir Putin from continuing his war of aggression.



"So we must prepare to expand devastating sanctions that could suffocate once and for all Russia's economy."



The 17th package sees some 200 'shadow fleet' tankers sanctioned. Two countries still need to consult their own parliaments on the details but the package is expected to be adopted next week by the bloc's foreign ministers, diplomatic sources said.



The latest tightening of sanctions comes as Moscow and Kyiv may hold their first peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday since the early days of Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.