Finland has proposed imposing duties on all imports from Russia to the EU, which will operate simultaneously with existing sanctions. This step will not require unanimity from all member states. The proposal arose when the EU faced renewed resistance from Hungary regarding the extension of previously imposed Russian sanctions.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that if Russia refuses a 30-day truce, almost all EU members and representatives of the “coalition of the willing” are ready to increase sanctions pressure against Moscow.
Britain has already announced its largest package of sanctions to date, which concerns 100 oil tankers of the Russian shadow fleet that have transported cargo worth more than $24B since the beginning of 2024.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, after talking with his President Zelenskyy, called on Russia to observe a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. He stressed that if Russia does not comply, the US and its partners will impose new sanctions.
The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, noted that the new package of EU sanctions could be approved by the end of May.