EU eyes new sanctions against Russia, but admits limits

The European Union is preparing a 17th package of sanctions against Russia—but officials in Brussels admit the bloc has reached the limits of what sanctions can achieve, as the Kremlin once again rejects a proposed ceasefire in Ukraine.

“We have reached the limit of what we can do with sanctions,” said one EU diplomat, reflecting on 16 previous rounds of punitive measures, Caliber.Az writes per German media.

The latest ceasefire proposal, backed by European leaders including Germany’s Friedrich Merz, called for a 30-day unconditional halt to hostilities. But on May 12, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the appeal, calling the "ultimatum language" unacceptable and offering no clear conditions under which Russia would agree to pause the fighting.

Instead, President Vladimir Putin proposed direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is prepared to meet Putin and talk to him directly on May 15. 

Despite the failure of previous sanctions to force a change in Russian behaviour, EU officials are now considering expanding restrictions to include additional oil tankers in Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet." Still, expectations for the new sanctions round remain modest. According to Brussels insiders, the package may be even more lenient than initially expected.

EU member states can only decide on sanctions unanimously – a circumstance that Hungarian President Viktor Orbán repeatedly uses to block proposals such as a complete import ban on Russian oil or gas, the German paper writes. 

As Europe debates its next steps, Ukrainian authorities reported 22 people wounded in Russian strikes within 24 hours, including seven injured overnight into May 12 —the day the ceasefire was set to begin.

The European bloc has previously announced 16 separate sanctions packages since Moscow launched its invasion in 2022. The measures have targeted individuals, companies, and state institutions involved in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.

By Sabina Mammadli