EU leaders say sanctions on Russia will not be eased
European Union leaders said publicly, ahead of a European Council meeting, that sanctions against Russia will under no circumstances be weakened. Ukrainska Pravda presents the statement as a response to actions by US President Donald Trump.
Leaders of the European Union (EU) assured the public on 16 October, before a meeting of the European Council, that sanctions against Russia will in no circumstances be eased. The European Council is the gathering of EU heads of state and government that sets the bloc's political direction.
According to the Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda, the statement came in response to actions by US President Donald Trump. The available source text does not specify which steps by Trump prompted the reaction, which EU officials spoke, or their exact wording.
The EU imposed sanctions on Russia in connection with the war in Ukraine. The statement indicates that the bloc's leadership wanted to set out its position clearly before the summit: pressure on Russia will be maintained.
