Ukraine is calling on the European Union to isolate Russia more forcefully following a significant change in Washington policy. Next week, EU leaders will hear a 40-page Ukrainian white paper that advocates for broad new sanctions. These include taking action to stop specific EU nations from obstructing future actions, focusing on foreign purchasers of Russian oil, and seizing Russian assets.
The action follows weeks of lobbying by Kyiv and European allies. US President Donald Trump decided against enacting new sanctions after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Seizing Russian Assets & Sending to Ukraine
According to Ukraine’s proposal, the EU must expedite legislation that would permit the confiscation of Russian assets that have been sanctioned. The money could be sent straight to Ukraine after it is seized. After that, those who have been sanctioned could ask Moscow for compensation.
With this system, the case for using frozen assets to rebuild Ukraine would be stronger on both a legal and moral level.
Targeting Russian Oil Buyers
Additionally, the white paper suggests secondary sanctions be applied to businesses that purchase Russian oil. China and India, two nations that continue to be major buyers, may be impacted by this contentious decision.
Ukraine claims that such actions would tighten the enforcement net around Russia’s energy exports and put more pressure on it, even though the EU has refrained from taking them.
EU Must Act Independently
The Trump administration’s commitment to sanctions is openly questioned in Ukraine’s report. According to the report, Washington has left almost all platforms used to coordinate sanctions. Key sanctions teams have been reorganized or disbanded, and US efforts to enforce oil price caps have stalled.
Although there are two significant US sanctions bills—one from the government and another from senator Lindsey Graham, who supports Trump—it is still uncertain whether Trump will sign either of them.
Ukraine worries that EU unity may be shattered by a softened US position. At the moment, Brussels sanctions decisions must be unanimous. Ukraine wants more majority-rules decision-making in the EU to avoid deadlock. According to a senior Ukrainian official, the United States’ withdrawal would deal a “huge strike” to EU unity on sanctions.
Europe’s Leverage Still Counts
The EU still has influence even though it doesn’t have the same worldwide financial clout as the US dollar. According to Craig Kennedy of Harvard, if Europe remains steadfast, US assistance by itself won’t boost investor confidence in Russia. This is an opportunity, according to the white paper, and the EU should take the lead in enforcing sanctions rather than lagging behind the United States.
Ukraine has a clear plan. Kyiv wants Europe to become the main force exerting pressure on Russia while the U.S. hesitates. Ukraine feels that given the ongoing Russian aggression and the stalled diplomatic negotiations, it is time for Brussels to take action rather than retreat.