A senior Ukrainian official told Politico the draft is expected to be presented to EU member states before the end of 2026. At a summit on Oct. 15, EU leaders plan to call for stronger sanctions pressure on Moscow. In a draft of the final statement seen by the outlet, participants will advocate additional restrictions, primarily on Russia's oil revenue.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Russia is not interested in de-escalation or ending the war and promised to urge EU partners to tighten sanctions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also backed new restrictions, pointing to continuing Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called on Washington to coordinate sanctions policy with Brussels. European officials expect the U.S. administration to begin fully enforcing a recently passed law that expands the ability to impose sanctions on Russia's energy sector.
The EU's plans conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel fuel. On Oct. 9, Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on supplies of Russian diesel to U.S. and global markets. Nearly five million tons of fuel are expected to reach the market in the coming months.
According to Politico, European diplomats link Trump's decision to rising U.S. fuel prices amid the war with Iran and the midterm congressional elections in November. The outlet's sources doubt the additional supplies will significantly lower prices: by their estimates, the stated volume corresponds to roughly ten days of U.S. demand.
Citing Reuters sources, during talks with Ukrainian representatives, Trump's special envoys explained that the diesel deal with Russia is intended to bring Putin back to the negotiating table. They noted that until now the Russian president had not been ready to discuss ending the war, but the agreement on supplies of 2.25 million barrels of diesel fuel should "soften" his position and send a signal that the U.S. is open to cooperation with Moscow.
On Oct. 12, the European Union approved its 22nd sanctions package against Russia. It provides for the largest single expansion of the sanctions list: about 1,600 individuals and legal entities were added. According to The Moscow Times, the restrictions covered 734 individuals and 826 legal entities, including Russian industrial enterprises. Kaja Kallas said the sanctions list was expanded, including with individuals involved in the production of ballistic missiles. Seven organizations and individuals from North Korea were also blacklisted; according to the EU, they helped Moscow wage war.
Britain and Norway have also said they intend to increase pressure on Moscow. Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik stressed the need to close loopholes that allow existing sanctions to be circumvented.