UK, EU announce sanctions on Russia after Trump-Putin call yields no ceasefire in Ukraine | World News

The UK and European Union have introduced new sanctions against Russia following a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin that failed to produce progress toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, The Guardian has reported.
The UK said the sanctions would target dozens of entities connected to Russia’s military, energy trade, and media networks, as well as financial institutions that support the war. The move came after Russian President Putin did not agree to a US-backed 30-day unconditional ceasefire already accepted Ukraine.
In a statement, the UK Foreign Office said, “Putin has so far not put in place the full, unconditional ceasefire that President Trump has called for, and which President Zelenskyy endorsed over two months ago.”
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Shortly after the UK announcement, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had approved measures targeting about 200 ships in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet tankers used to export oil while avoiding Western restrictions. Kallas said, “The longer Russia wages war, the tougher our response.” She also mentioned that further sanctions were being planned.
The shadow fleet emerged after the EU and other Western countries imposed bans on Russian oil exports and related services in 2022. The vessels often have unclear ownership and lack proper insurance, making them hard to monitor.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new EU sanctions, saying it was important to limit Russia’s ability to fund its military.
In a message on social media, Zelenskyy said,  “It is important to severely restrict the Russian tanker fleet, which serves to finance killings, as well as all schemes that Russia uses to build up its military industry.”Story continues below this ad

He added that Ukraine supports peace talks but said they need to be based on realic proposals. “We are working with partners to put pressure on the Russians to behave differently. Sanctions matter, and I am grateful to everyone who makes them more tangible for the perpetrators of the war.”
Zelenskyy also accused Russia of delaying tactics. “Russia is trying to buy time in order to continue its war and occupation,” he said.
Following his call with Putin, Donald Trump indicated that the United States would not join the UK and EU in imposing new sanctions. He said any future peace would need to be negotiated directly between Ukraine and Russia, possibly with papal mediation. Trump described his conversation with Putin as “excellent” and suggested that talks could start
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