EU Welcomes US Sanctions on Russia, Sees It as a ‘Sign of Strength’

Brussels — The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on Thursday welcomed the latest US sanctions on Russia, describing them as an “important sign of strength” and highlighting transatlantic alignment.

Arriving for the EU Summit in Brussels, Kallas said,

“We’re very happy. It’s an important sign of strength that we’re aligned,” according to Euro News.

The sanctions target Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, marking the first economic restrictions on Russia imposed by the Trump administration.

Kallas also defended the EU’s plan to use frozen Russian assets, mainly held in Belgium, to provide a €140 billion loan to Ukraine. The proposal stipulates that the assets will be returned if Russia agrees to fund war reparations.

“The fundamental message is that Russia is responsible for the damages caused in Ukraine and has to pay for those damages,” Kallas said. She added that the EU’s action demonstrates to the US that “we’re taking very important steps ourselves.”

Addressing concerns raised by Belgium over the loan, Kallas stressed,

“No country should bear the risks or this burden alone.”

Meanwhile, European Council President Antonio Costa expressed confidence that EU leaders would support the loan to Ukraine.

“We will take the political decision to ensure the financial needs of Ukraine for 2026 and 2027,” Costa said, emphasizing that the loan will help Ukraine “continue their fight for a just and lasting peace” and send a strong message to Russia.

Costa added,

“Russia needs to understand they need to stop killing civilians in Ukraine.”

Earlier, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever had threatened to block the loan unless his three conditions were met, including full mutualisation of risks, guarantees that all member states would participate if assets are unfrozen, and obligations for all European nations holding Russian sovereign assets to contribute.

With inputs from IANS