'Strong EU sanctions' coming soon, US expected to sanction Russian banks, energy, Zelensky says
The EU is preparing an important sanctions package against Russia as Moscow continues to refuse a ceasefire, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a press conference on May 19.
There is an important "strong EU sanctions package" underway, Zelensky said at a press briefing attended by the Kyiv Independent, adding that Ukraine is coordinating with the EU to impose harsh penalties on Russia.
Ukraine knows the date that the EU sanctions are expected to be rolled out, the president said, though he did not name the date in his remarks.
Zelensky said Ukraine and the EU also believe the U.S. will prepare additional sanctions against the Kremlin "when they see fit."
Allies expect Washington "to impose sanctions on Russian banks, energy sector," Zelensky said.
"This would be an important, strong mechanism," he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky in separate phone calls earlier on May 19. Putin did not agree to a full, unconditional ceasefire despite calls from various world leaders to do so.
Trump said he will not impose further sanctions against Russia "because there's a chance" of progress towards a ceasefire, he told reporters in the Oval Office later on May 19.
"Because I think there's a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse," Trump said.
"But there could be a time where that’s going to happen," he added.
Trump's comments contradict those of German government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius who said on May 19 that newly proposed EU sanctions are also being coordinated with the U.S. government.
Two sources briefed on Trump's call with the European leaders following his conversation with Putin told the Financial Times that Trump made no promises of future U.S. sanctions against Russia.
Tim Zadorozhnyy
