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EU Prepares Harshest Sanctions Yet Against Russia Following Ceasefire Collapse
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
The European Union is preparing what officials describe as the “toughest sanctions yet” against Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in an interview with French broadcaster TF1Info on July 7.
Barrot emphasized that the move comes in direct response to a dramatic escalation in Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, despite a proposed ceasefire by US President Donald Trump.
“Instead of honoring the 30-day ceasefire proposed by President Trump, Russia has increased its attacks on Ukrainian cities fivefold. This cannot go on—it must stop,” Barrot said.
“To make that happen, Europe is preparing, in coordination with US senators and based on French proposals, the most severe sanctions against Russia in the past three years. These measures will directly drain the resources that allow [Russian President] Vladimir Putin to continue his war.”
According to Barrot, the new sanctions package will target not only Russia’s energy sector—particularly oil export revenues—but also financial entities within Russia and in third countries that help the Kremlin circumvent existing Western sanctions. He stressed that these networks of individuals and companies are enabling Moscow to sustain its war machine.
“Putin is no longer making advances on the front. He’s limited to shelling residential areas with drones and missiles,” Barrot added. “This is causing massive civilian casualties. It must stop.”
Since February 2022, the European Union has adopted 17 rounds of sanctions against Russia. However, the 18th package—expected to pass in late June—was delayed after objections from Slovakia.
That proposed round included reducing the price cap on Russian oil exports from $60 to $45 per barrel, banning transactions with the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, and targeting banks involved in sanctions evasion.
Meanwhile, the US Senate is expected to review a sweeping bill introducing “crushing” sanctions on Russia in early July. The legislation, spearheaded by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, would impose 500% tariffs on trade with any country purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, or other critical resources.
Senator Graham previously stated that President Trump had encouraged him to “move forward” with plans to tighten economic pressure on the Kremlin.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on 87 entities connected to the military-industrial complex of the Russian Federation.
