European Leaders Discuss New Sanctions on Russia as Peace Talks Yield Slow Progress

European leaders called for new sanctions to force Putin to the negotiating table after he skipped direct Russiaโ€“Ukraine peace talks in Turkey.

European leaders discussed levying new sanctions against Russia on May 16, as a peace settlement between Moscow and Kyiv remains elusive.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined a gathering of his European counterparts at the European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania, on Friday to discuss regional security concerns, against the backdrop of the ongoing Russiaโ€“Ukraine war.

The Albania summit came on the same day Russian and Ukrainian representatives met in Istanbul, Turkey, for the first direct talks between the belligerent countries since March of 2022.

Zelenskyy had sought a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey, but Putin declined the offer.

โ€œIf it turns out that the Russian delegation really is just theatrical and canโ€™t deliver any results today, the world must respond,โ€ Zelenskyy said, as he addressed his fellow European leaders in Tirana.

โ€œThere needs to be a strong reaction, including sanctions against Russiaโ€™s energy sector and banks. Pressure must continue to rise until real progress is made.โ€

Addressing those in attendance at the Albania summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer likewise accused Putin of slow-walking the peace talks, โ€œand playing games whilst Ukraine has shown itself to be the party of peace.โ€

European nations have continued to raise sanctions against Russia since Putin ordered his forces to march on Ukraine in 2022.

Last weekend, European leaders reiterated demands for Putin to agree to a 30-day cease-fire by May 12. Their deadline came and went without the Russian leader bowing to their demands.

Addressing those in attendance at the Albania summit, Starmer insisted the European community follow through on its sanctions threat.

โ€œHaving issued that ultimatum, we must be prepared to follow through, because if Russia wonโ€™t come to the negotiating table, Putin must pay the price,โ€ Starmer said.

Addressing the gathering, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen touted existing sanctions on Russiaโ€™s oil and gas industry and announced, โ€œWe are working on a next set of sanctions.โ€

Byย Ryan Morgan

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Beijing and Moscow Double Down on Propping Up Tehran, Threaten to Give It Nukes

As anyone who understands how these things unfold could...

The Looming Threat To Our Homeland

After success of โ€œOperation Midnight Hammer,โ€ where U.S. military bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, the threat to America has never been greater.

Trumpโ€™s Bold Strike on Iran: A Necessary Move for Global Securityย 

Trumpโ€™s airstrikes on Iranโ€™s nuclear facilities have been hailed as a courageous and necessary action to safeguard American interests and global stability.

Groundhog Day came late this year to the Land of Smiles.

itโ€™s the same rigmarole, on whatever pretext, the army commandeers the Thai state with vague promises to restore democracy at some unspecified future date.

Resource number one

Russia has an unsustainable birthrate worsened by mortality rate of Russian males through war and alcoholism. One solution, steal young children from other countries.ย 

Trump Reacts to New York City Choosing a Democratic Socialist Mayoral Candidate

President Donald Trump said Democrats have gone too far left, as evidenced by their choice of a New York City mayoral candidate who espouses far-left policies.

FedEx Lowers Revenue Outlook as Volume From China โ€˜Deteriorated Sharplyโ€™

In the fiscal fourth quarter, Fedex adjusted its network to match shifting demand, cutting Asia-to-America lane capacity by more than 35% in May.

5 Takeaways From Mamdaniโ€™s Upset Victory in NYCโ€™s Mayoral Democratic Primary

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old self-described socialist, won the Democratic Primary contest for the 2025 New York City mayoral election.

Fed Moves to Relax Key Capital Rule for Big Banks to Support Treasury Markets

Fed Reserve adopted draft proposal to ease a key capital requirement for nationโ€™s largest banks, aimed at reducing regulatory pressure discouraging holding of low-risk assets.

Trump Arrives in Netherlands for NATO Summit, With Defense Spending High on Agenda

President Donald Trump arrived in Amsterdam on Tuesday to attend the NATO summit, which is being held in The Hague from June 24 to 25.

Major Victory for Trump Administration and the American People on Deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens to Third Countries

Supreme Court decision allows DHS to deport criminal illegal aliens who are not wanted in their home country to third countries who've agreed to accept them.

No Changes Planned for FDAโ€™s Vaccine Advisory Committee โ€˜At This Timeโ€™: Spokesperson

There are no plans to remove any members of the panel that advises the FDA on vaccines, a spokesperson said on June 20.

Trump Says Trade Deals Expected With India and Pakistan

President Trump expects US will sign trade deals with India and Pakistan, signaling growing momentum in push to reshape global trade through tariff diplomacy.
spot_img

Related Articles