‘Squeeze Putin harder’–EU pushes 18th Russia sanctions package

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued a blunt call to the G7 to step up pressure on the Kremlin, demanding tougher sanctions against Russia to force a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Speaking ahead of the G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies, von der Leyen warned that diplomacy has stalled, and fresh economic pressure is now the best lever to bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

“We must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire… Sanctions are critical to that end,” von der Leyen declared.

The European Union is advancing its 18th sanctions package against Moscow.

Von der Leyen is urging G7 allies—Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States—to back the proposal when formal discussions begin on Monday, June 16, 2025.

The summit comes amid escalating Middle East turmoil after Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which have raised global fears of a regional war and sent oil prices surging.

Still, von der Leyen emphasized that the Ukraine conflict must remain central to the G7’s agenda—particularly in meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has historically been soft on the Kremlin.

Trump has resisted broader sanctions, arguing they could disrupt ceasefire negotiations.

Von der Leyen disagrees, saying stronger punitive measures are essential to break the deadlock.

The EU chief also said she and Trump had agreed on the importance of maintaining global energy market stability, especially in light of disruptions from both the Ukraine war and Middle East flare-ups.

“We will stay very vigilant on what the implications for the international energy markets are concerned,” she said.

Beyond Ukraine, transatlantic tensions are simmering over Trump’s threat of new EU tariffs, delayed until July 9 after a recent phone call with von der Leyen.

The Commission President said she prefers a negotiated settlement, but confirmed the EU is preparing contingencies if trade talks collapse.

Von der Leyen also weighed in on the Middle East crisis, reiterating the EU’s dual stance: Israel has a right to defend itself, but diplomacy is essential to resolve the Iran nuclear issue.

“Iran is the principal source of regional instability… Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” she said.

She drew a chilling connection between the two global conflicts, pointing out that Iranian-made drones and ballistic missiles have been used to target both Ukrainian and Israeli cities.

“The recent events have underlined the increasing interlinks between the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East,” she stated.

As the G7 convenes under the cloud of two simultaneous geopolitical crises, von der Leyen is betting that tightened sanctions and a unified front can shift the calculus in both Kyiv and Tehran.

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