The European Union imposes new sanctions on Russia on third anniversary of Ukraine invasion
Brussels, Belgium (AFP) February 24 - The European Union on Monday hit Russia with a new round of sanctions aimed at curbing its war effort on the third anniversary of the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It is the 16th round of sanctions imposed by the 27-nation bloc on Russia since Moscow launched its all-out assault on Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
"This new round of sanctions not only targets the Russian shadow fleet but those who support the operation of unsafe oil tankers, videogame controllers used to pilot drones, banks used to circumvent our sanctions, and propaganda outlets used to spout lies," EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said.
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas holds a press conference during the EU's foreign affairs council at the EU headquarters in Brussels on February 24, 2025. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)
The fresh sanctions put restrictions on imports of Russian aluminium and blacklist 74 vessels from the so-called "shadow fleet" used by Russia to circumvent limits on oil exports.
The move comes as the EU tries to keep pressure on the Kremlin despite US President Donald Trump undercutting Kyiv and its European allies by launching talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin.
"There is no doubt about who the aggressor is, who should pay and be held accountable for this war," Kallas said.
"With talks underway to end Russia’s aggression, we must put Ukraine in the strongest possible position. Sanctions provide leverage."
The latest EU sanctions also prohibit sales of games consoles to Russia that can be used to control drones on the battlefield and ban eight Russian outlets from broadcasting in the bloc.
Vladimir Putin says Europeans can 'participate' in Ukraine talks
Moscow, Russia (AFP) February 24 - President Vladimir Putin said Monday that European countries, as well as others, can participate in talks to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
In an interview airing on state television, Putin expressed agreement with US President Donald Trump on numerous points but said European countries could also play a role in ending the fighting in Ukraine.
"I see nothing wrong with this", Putin said, asked what he thought of European countries insisting on a role in talks on Ukraine.
"Well probably no one can demand anything here. Especially not from Russia," he added.
"But their participation in the talks process is in demand," he added, claiming that European countries "themselves rejected contacts with us", wanting Ukraine to win on the battlefield.
"If they want to come back, they're welcome," he said.
And "in this case, of course, we are not rejecting the participation of our European countries".
Putin said, however, that Russia also respects the views of "our friends from BRICS", the bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and other emerging economies.
"We are grateful to all our partners who raise these questions, who aim for peace to be achieved. And that's why I'm saying that not only Europeans but other countries have the right and can take part. And we view this calmly."
He criticised European countries' reaction to a meeting last week between Russian and US officials in Riyadh as "emotional", saying it was part of a process of improving "the level of trust" between the two countries.
Both in his recent phone conversation with Trump and at the meeting in Riyadh, "problems related to the Ukrainian crisis were touched on," Putin said.
"But it was not discussed in essence. We just agreed that we will approach this."
Putin described Trump's proposals on Ukraine as based on "cold reasoning" and said that as a newly elected president he has his "hands free".
Putin also mocked Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky after Trump claimed he is highly unpopular and a "dictator".
Asked about Europe's critical reaction to Trump's comments, Putin said the "current head of the Kyiv regime is becoming a toxic figure" among the armed forces for giving "ridiculous orders", and "is becoming toxic in society as a whole".
Putin said that Ukrainian former military commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny, who is now Kyiv's ambassador in London, has a much higher approval rating than Zelensky, calling him a "possible rival".
He also backed a suggestion by Trump that Russia, the United States and China should all cut their military budgets in half.
"I think it's a good idea. The US would cut by 50 percent and we would cut by 50 percent and then China would join if it wanted," Putin said.
