EU Unveils 19th Sanctions Package on Russia: LNG Ban, Banking Crackdown, and Trump Pressure

EU Unveils 19th Sanctions Package on Russia: LNG Ban, Banking Crackdown, and Trump Pressure
The European Commission has unveiled its 19th sanctions package on Russia, targeting Russian LNG imports, banks, and shadow tankers. Pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump to act faster, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced the measures aimed at crippling Moscow’s war economy and forcing Putin to the negotiating table.
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Tariffs on Russian Oil Buyers Could Trigger Economic Collapse, Says US Treasury Chief

Tariffs on Russian Oil Buyers Could Trigger Economic Collapse, Says US Treasury Chief
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil including India and China could collapse Moscow’s economy and force Vladimir Putin into peace talks on Ukraine. He urged the EU to align with Washington as Trump signals a tougher ‘phase two’ sanctions plan.
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Russia and Ukraine Agree to Largest Prisoner Swap Since 2022, But Ceasefire Remains Elusive

Russia and Ukraine Agree to Largest Prisoner Swap Since 2022, But Ceasefire Remains Elusive
In a rare moment of hope with the ongoing war, Russia and Ukraine Agree to Largest Prisoner Swap Since 2022, But Ceasefire Remains Elusive. In the Istanbul peace talks Russia and Ukraine have agreed to the largest prisoner exchange since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. During high-stakes Istanbul peace talks on May 16, 2025, Russia and Ukraine consented to swap 1,000 prisoners each a significant humanitarian breakthrough in an otherwise deadlocked conflict.
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