UK and Europe impose major sanctions on Russia following Putin-Trump call

The United Kingdom and European Union, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, announced a new wave of major sanctions against Russia.

This followed a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin that failed to produce any concrete outcomes.

The measures reflect a growing frustration in European capitals over the lack of progress toward peace in Ukraine.

It also supposedly reflects the perception that Trump is unwilling to apply serious pressure on Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of using diplomatic overtures as a tactic to stall for time and prolong its military campaign and occupation of Ukrainian territory.

In response to the situation, the UK announced targeted sanctions on multiple entities that support Russia’s military operations, its energy exports.

Entities that support Russia’s disinformation efforts were  also sanctioned, along with financial institutions financing the ongoing invasion.

“Putin has not implemented the full and unconditional ceasefire called for by President Trump and endorsed by President Zelenskyy over two months ago,” stated the UK Foreign Office.

Just after this, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that the EU had agreed on sanctions targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”

The “shadow fleet” is a group of approximately 200 ships believed to be circumventing restrictions to transport oil and other goods.

Kallas added that additional sanctions were being developed.

He also stressed that the longer Russia continues the war, the more severe the EU’s response would become.

President Zelenskyy reiterated that while Ukraine believes the war must ultimately end through negotiations, any peace process must involve clear, realistic proposals.

He emphasized that increasing international pressure on Russia is crucial.

“Sanctions matter,” Zelenskyy said, expressing gratitude toward countries intensifying punitive measures against the Kremlin.

Despite the coordinated efforts by Europe and the UK, the United States appeared unwilling to join these new sanctions.

Following his call with Putin, Trump signaled that the US would not align itself with European punitive measures.

This stance drew criticism and highlighted a divergence in the transatlantic approach to the conflict.

The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed the new sanctions and accused European governments of trying to block direct dialogue with Moscow.

They asserted that Russia would not respond to ultimatums.

Trump’s attempt at mediation was widely seen as ineffective.

In the aftermath of his conversation with Putin, it became evident that the former US president had not insisted on an immediate ceasefire.

Instead, he portrayed the call as productive and suggested that talks between Russia and Ukraine would begin immediately, without requiring Moscow to halt its aggression.

Trump proposed that future negotiations be facilitated possibly by the Vatican, but deferred the responsibility for peace talks entirely to Kyiv and Moscow.

“The conditions will be negotiated between the two parties,” Trump said, implying that only Ukraine and Russia have the necessary context to settle the conflict.

His remarks appeared to indicate a decline in his engagement on the issue.

According to sources within the White House, Trump was increasingly “weary and frustrated.”

He had even hinted at withdrawing from further involvement after the Putin call.

A report by Axios revealed that European leaders, including those from Germany, France, Italy, Finland, and the European Commission, were surprised by Trump’s positive portrayal of the conversation.

Sources told the outlet that Trump seemed satisfied with Putin’s comments, even though the Russian president’s position remained unchanged.

Analysts interpreted Trump’s behavior as part of a pattern from his previous administration: declaring success despite a lack of tangible results, then moving on.

Russia continues to insist on its longstanding and maximalist demands as preconditions for even a temporary ceasefire.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there was “no timeline” for drafting a memorandum to guide future negotiations.

His statement underscored the complexities involved.

Adding another obstacle, Russia on Tuesday suggested that Ukraine must engage with Moscow’s proposed peace framework.

However, Zelenskyy confirmed that Russia’s demands included Ukrainian withdrawal from five regions, some of which are not currently occupied by Russian forces—conditions he deemed unacceptable.

“It’s our land, we won’t withdraw our troops from our territory.

“If they demand what they know we can’t agree to, it means they don’t want peace,” he said.

The failure of the Trump-Putin call has raised alarms in Kyiv, where officials fear that the US is being outmaneuvered by Putin.

Trump’s reluctance to challenge Russia has led some in Ukraine to suspect that he is more focused on future business opportunities with Moscow than leveraging American influence to broker peace.

With U.S. support appearing lukewarm, Ukraine is now placing its hopes on Europe to back its words with decisive sanctions and continued military assistance.

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