An envoy from the European Union has conducted meetings in Washington around further sanctions against Russia.
The most senior EU sanctions envoy, David O'Sullivan, went to the U.S. the day after President Donald Trump confirmed to press he was thinking about a second phase of sanctions against Russia, in the wake of their largest airstrike ever on Ukraine.
A European Commission spokesperson also confirmed that its president, Ursula von der Leyen, had had a phone call with U.S. vice-president, JD Vance the week before and “the only topic during the call was Ukraine”.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed late on Monday that he had met with O'Sullivan, and Trump's “strategy to support peace negotiations” was open to any and all options.
"We are willing to take strong measures against Russia, but our European partners must fully join us in this to be successful," he wrote on X.
The EU is currently drafting a 19th package of Russia sanctions; however, Kremlin said on Monday that no sanctions would force Russia to change course or tactics.
