“We are considering many options, but we’ll see,” Trump said, emphasizing that the situation remains open.
On May 18, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the United States, together with European partners, will “without hesitation” strengthen sanctions against Russia if President Putin does not begin peace talks with Ukraine “in a spirit of goodwill.”
After a conversation with Putin on May 19, Trump announced that he currently does not plan to impose new sanctions, as there is “a chance” to make progress toward a ceasefire.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously noted that the U.S. government had asked lawmakers to give them “some time” and refrain from new sanctions to facilitate progress in negotiations between the Kremlin and Kyiv.
In early April, 50 American lawmakers, led by Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, introduced a bipartisan bill that provides for sanctions against Russia in the event of a breakdown in peace talks regarding Ukraine. The bill includes primary and secondary sanctions, including 500% tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil and its derivative products.
New EU Sanctions Package Against Russia
On May 20, the EU Council adopted new sanctions against three units of the Russian Armed Forces involved in the development and use of chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine. The list includes the troops of radiation, chemical, and biological protection, the 27th Scientific Center, and the 33rd Central Research and Testing Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
These units are part of the Russian armed forces, and the decision on sanctions was made based on reports from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), published in November 2024 and February 2025.
The EU Council also approved the 17th sanctions package against Russia, which, according to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, is the largest since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. This package includes hybrid sanctions, human rights-related sanctions, as well as sanctions against the use of chemical weapons.
The United Kingdom also announced a new sanctions package covering 100 targets in the Russian military, energy, and financial sectors, as well as those conducting Putin’s information war against Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that after the 17th sanctions package, another one might be introduced. “If there is no ceasefire from the Russian side, a strong European package will be followed by another,” he emphasized.
