Ukraine Urges EU to Assume Leadership on Russia Sanctions Amid U.S. Retrenchment
Ukraine is making a strategic appeal to the European Union: step into the leadership void left by a disengaged Washington and take bold, decisive action to curb the Kremlin’s aggression.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Reuters.
A confidential Ukrainian white paper, set to be presented to EU officials next week, lays out an ambitious vision for a strengthened European sanctions regime. Stretching over 40 pages, the document outlines a sweeping series of proposals, including the seizure and redistribution of Russian state assets, the introduction of secondary sanctions targeting countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, and a fundamental shift in the EU’s sanctions decision-making process.
The white paper recommends several structural reforms, including a move away from the unanimity requirement for sanctions – a procedural shift designed to prevent individual member states from derailing collective action. The document also advocates for legal frameworks that would expedite the confiscation of frozen Russian assets and their transfer to Ukraine.
The paper suggests adopting secondary sanctions – measures that would extend EU penalties to third-country companies aiding Russia, particularly those involved in circumventing restrictions on oil exports. If enacted, these measures could directly impact major Russian oil buyers like India and China.
Though such a step would mark a significant escalation in the EU’s sanctions policy, Ukrainian officials argue that the growing global complexity of sanctions enforcement leaves Europe with little choice.
“We are not asking the EU to act alone, but to lead,” a senior Ukrainian official told Reuters. “The credibility of the sanctions regime, and of the West’s broader response to Russian aggression, is on the line.”
This step emphasizes that Europe still holds significant leverage. A united and proactive EU, the paper argues, could deter international investors from re-engaging with Russia, even in the absence of U.S. pressure.
The proposal follows a disappointing turn for Kyiv: after a phone call with Vladimir Putin on May 19, President Trump publicly ruled out any new sanctions, leaving European allies and Ukrainian officials dismayed. Nevertheless, on May 20, the EU and the UK moved ahead with additional restrictions targeting Russian entities, while reiterating hopes that Washington might eventually align.
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