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EU divided over Russia sanctions package

Sunday, 21 September 2025 7:36 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 21 September 2025 7:36 AM ]

EU Council (File Photo)

NATO deployed three French fighter jets to Eastern Poland on Friday as a so-called deterrent against Russia. Many analysts argue that it is the Western Alliance's expansion that sparked the conflict in Ukraine.

The European Commission has unveiled its 19th sanctions package targeting Moscow's energy, banking, and high-tech sectors.

We are working on a new solution to finance Ukraine's defense efforts. This is based on the immobilized Russian assets.

We must be very clear, this is Russia's war, and the perpetrator must pay for it.

Ursula Von der Leyen, EU Commission, President

Divisions in EU over 19th Russia sanctions package

Divisions in EU over 19th Russia sanctions package

Critics say the EU

But inside the European Parliament, critics warn that hard-pressed EU taxpayers are footing the bill.

The EU has spent €169 billion on the war so far, and the new seven-year budget would add another €100 billion.

Up to 20% of the EU budget could go to Ukraine.

Csaba Domotor, Hungarian MEP

US arms industry the sole winner of the war in Ukraine

US arms industry the sole winner of the war in Ukraine

Despite conditions in which the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen by 10% for the year as a whole, the share prices of US defense contractors have surged.

Some claim that one of the main beneficiaries of the war is the United States.

We used to buy cheap energy from the Russians, and today we are spending €700 billion to buy that same energy from Washington.

The EU has also failed on weapons, which we buy from the United States to give to Ukraine.

Roberto Vannacci, Italian MEP

Europe energy crisis

Europe energy crisis

When it comes to European countries stating that they will cut off their purchase of Russian oil and gas that has not come to fruition.

There's no doubt that natural gas sanctions imposed by Brussels have hit the EU much harder than Russia, leading to soaring European energy costs, while Moscow was able to find alternative markets. Then, thanks to high global oil and gas prices, the Kremlin was able to offset the economic squeeze intended by the EU.

Several of the EU's 27 government leaders are expected to oppose the bloc's latest sanctions package against Russia.

It remains hard to see how the European Union is going to respond, because the member states remain divided over the issue, but 19 rounds of sanctions do not have the [desired] effect.

Johann Weick, EU Policy Consultant

Meanwhile a growing number of EU lawmakers are questioning double standards, asking why no tough measures have been imposed on Israel over Its genocide in Gaza.