EU Urges Tougher Russia Sanctions Amid Ukraine War, Energy Concerns

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on G7 nations to increase pressure on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, urging stronger sanctions despite global attention shifting to the Israel-Iran conflict. Speaking ahead of G7 talks in Canada, von der Leyen emphasized the need for coordinated international action to end Russia’s aggression.

“We must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire and bring them to the negotiating table. Sanctions are critical to that end,” she stated. The EU recently proposed an 18th sanctions package targeting Moscow, and von der Leyen encouraged G7 allies, including the United States, to support the measure.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump remains hesitant to back new sanctions, citing concerns they might hinder ceasefire negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. European leaders are working to keep Ukraine high on the G7 agenda, even as geopolitical tensions rise in the Middle East.

Von der Leyen also addressed recent Israeli strikes on Iran, warning of broader regional instability. She reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense but stressed diplomacy as the best path forward on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” she said, calling Iran a key source of regional instability.

She noted the growing links between the war in Ukraine and Middle East tensions, highlighting the use of Iranian-made drones and missiles in both conflicts.

In her meeting with Trump, von der Leyen said both leaders agreed on the importance of stabilizing energy markets amid the current turmoil and oil price spikes. She added that the EU prefers a negotiated trade deal with the U.S. before the July 9 deadline but is preparing fallback measures if talks fail.