European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is considering lowering the price cap on Russian oil, a measure coordinated at the G7 level, as part of a new sanctions package against Moscow.
A senior EU diplomat, speaking anonymously, told POLITICO that targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors could significantly pressure the Kremlin. However, such measures face challenges within the bloc—particularly due to resistance from Hungary.
When asked if the United States supports the proposed sanctions, von der Leyen confirmed ongoing discussions with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Graham has proposed slapping Russia with tariffs as high as 500 percent.
“We are very much aligned on which areas sanctions should target,” von der Leyen said.
Despite Graham’s stance, U.S. President Donald Trump has not openly committed to pursuing tougher sanctions. On Thursday, he stated that meaningful progress toward peace in Ukraine would only happen after he meets with Putin—a remark that came as planned peace talks in Turkey appeared to stall.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to meet in Turkey on Friday in what will be the first direct talks between the two sides in months. However, Putin’s decision to send a lower-tier delegation instead of attending himself has been widely viewed as a sign of Moscow’s lack of serious intent to negotiate.
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