• New sanctions against Russia by the EU and UK follow unsuccessful ceasefire talks involving Trump and Putin.
• Ukraine's President Zelenskyy accuses Russia of stalling while continuing to pursue territorial gains.
• European leaders express disappointment with Trump's shift away from pressing for a ceasefire.
• Russia's tactics in negotiations raise concerns over its intentions to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty.
• US sanctions against Russia remain uncertain as Trump navigates diplomatic pressures.

In a recent diplomatic twist, the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom announced new sanctions against Russia without waiting for the United States to join them, just a day after a phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to yield a ceasefire. The sanctions specifically target Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers and financial companies aiding Moscow in circumventing previous sanctions imposed due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to Indiatimes, SCMP, and Dawn.

During the talks on Monday, President Trump shifted from his previous demands for a 30-day ceasefire to suggesting that Moscow and Kyiv engage in broader negotiations regarding potential peace talks. This change surprised many European leaders who expected a stronger stance from the US, as Trump indicated that the war is less his responsibility to fix, thus leaving Ukraine potentially more vulnerable, according to The Hill and Reuters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that Russia is engaging in diplomatic discussions merely for a facade, accusing the Kremlin of obfuscation while it continues to seek territorial expansion. "It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue its war and occupation," Zelenskyy stated, reflecting the sentiments of many observers who view Putin’s negotiations as bad faith maneuvering, as noted by Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

Despite the ongoing sanctions, which have reached their 17th package, EU leaders and defense ministers expressed skepticism regarding whether these measures would pressure Moscow effectively. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reiterated the insistence on an immediate ceasefire without preconditions, emphasizing that Russia's non-acceptance of this demand necessitated a unified European response, according to SCMP, Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.

The ongoing standoff raises concerns about the effectiveness of sanctions without coordinated US action, as analysts warn that mixed signals from the Trump administration could hinder collective efforts to pressure Putin. "It’s time to intensify the pressure on Russia to bring about the ceasefire," stated Ukrainian and European officials, signaling their commitment to continue supporting Kyiv amid rising hostilities, as stated by Indiatimes and SCMP.