European Council President António Costa emphasized on Thursday that the European Union remains resolute in its stance to maintain sanctions against Russia. This assertion was made during a gathering of European leaders in Paris, aimed at discussing security measures in support of Ukraine.
“The best way to support Ukraine is to stay consistent in our objective to reach a just and lasting peace. This means keeping up the pressure on Russia through sanctions,” Costa stated in a post on X.
In his remarks, Costa confirmed his intention to relay this crucial message during the Leaders meeting held that day. The summit saw the attendance of various European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and was primarily focused on enhancing Ukraine’s security framework in light of the prospect of a ceasefire with Russia.
Addressing U.S. policy shifts
One of the key discussion points among the European leaders involved formulating a unified response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to potentially relax sanctions on Russia as a means to persuade the nation to cease its military offensive against Ukraine. Ahead of the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a phone conversation with Trump, as reported by the Elysée.
Recent sanctions and their implications
On February 24, the EU enforced its 16th round of sanctions against Russia, which specifically targeted aluminum imports, shadow fleet vessels, and the export of various chemicals and other essential materials utilized in precision machinery. In a collaborative statement, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Costa collectively underscored the need for sustained transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine, particularly in the face of a challenging international landscape.
While Ukraine has been under pressure from the U.S. to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, Russia has not shown any signs of de-escalation in its military actions. The Kremlin is demanding the removal of sanctions on its agricultural banks and shadow fleet and is also seeking to inspect Ukrainian vessels within the maritime corridor reestablished after a series of assaults on Russia’s navy, following Moscow’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2023.