The Union is considering a faster halt to Russian gas, with pressure also coming from Trump

The European Commission is preparing its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which could include an accelerated ban on liquefied natural gas imports from Moscow.

According to an EU representative, the proposal is a response to pressure from Washington—after a phone call with Ursula von der Leyen, US President Donald Trump called on Europe to take tougher action against Russia's energy revenues.

He made it clear that he himself would only be prepared to increase pressure on the Kremlin if Brussels took bolder steps. His demands include not only a complete halt to Russian oil purchases, but also tariffs on China and India, which remain the main buyers of Russian fossil fuels.

On Thursday, after a meeting with the British prime minister, he noted that “Putin will have no choice but to end the war if the price of oil falls.”

The EU is already debating a complete end to oil and gas imports by January 1, 2028. A ban on short-term contracts is set to come into force as early as 2026. The proposed sanctions are to be officially presented to member states on Friday.

(reuters, est)