European capital has launched a series of diplomatic efforts to maintain pressure on Russia and convince U.S. President Donald Trump's administration not to leave Ukraine's peace talks.
Several calls and meetings between European and Ukrainian leaders and senior security officials took place between Tuesday following a call between Trump and Vladimir Putin, with the U.S. president saying he would leave Russia and Ukraine’s terms of ending the war with Ukraine.
"What is crucial for all of us is that the United States is that it has no distance from negotiations and the pursuit of peace, because the only person who benefits from Putin is crucial," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Monday.
Officials said Tuesday's discussion focused on the possibility that European countries could impose new sanctions on Russia, which may not be involved and how to convince the White House to resume efforts to make a ceasefire.
"We need to find a way to make sure … the United States remains involved," one official said.
"It's clear that Russia is trying to buy time to continue its war and occupation," Zelenskyy said on Tuesday. He said Ukraine is working with European partners “to ensure that pressure forces Russians to change their behavior.”
He said he had a "good conversation" with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has been advocating for NATO-like security assurances for post-war Ukraine. “As always, cool ideas,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukrainian officials told the Financial Times during the discussion that Ukraine hopes to secure some "joint posts" with European allies.
"We clearly see Trump wants to get rid of the talks," Ukrainian officials said. "The aim is to get Americans involved in the talks and find some common perspectives (ON) on how to ensure a ceasefire."
The UK and the EU announced more sanctions on Tuesday against Russia, targeting lenders and other companies that helped Moscow avoid Western restrictions.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Putin's ongoing strike against Ukraine "showed the true colors of his as a warm man".
"We have already been clear that delaying peace efforts will only double our determination to help Ukraine defend itself and use our sanctions to limit Putin's war machine," Lammy added.
The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the latest sanctions against Russian oil company Surgutneftegas and nearly 200 shadow fleet vessels were intended to show "those who put Russia in serious consequences".
"Although Putin pretends to be interested in peace, more sanctions are being taken... Russia's ongoing illegal and brutal wars continue for longer, the harder our reaction will be."
Trump's two-hour phone call with Putin on Monday was described by a senior Russian official as walking so well that the two leaders did not seem to want to say goodbye. Trump then announced that Russia and Ukraine would "immediately" begin negotiations on peace talks in the United States, which did not serve as mediators.
After a call with Putin, Trump called Zelenskyy and leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and the European Commission, who were shocked by the U.S. president telling them about the discussions with the Russian president.
Trump's remarks are in stark contrast to the Western final atum he supported earlier this month, threatening Putin with additional sanctions if he did not impose the 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine had agreed to.
"Last week, the United States said that if Russia does not agree to a completely unconditional ceasefire, then there will be consequences," Karas said. "We want to see these consequences from the U.S. side. We really don't see the pressure on Russia (we) from these speeches."
Estonian Defense Secretary Hanno Pevkur said the EU is supporting the new sanctions raised by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, but it is unclear what Trump will do: "So the question is: What is the message from the White House?"
"Vladimir Putin is obviously continuing to play, and you can see very clearly... (He) doesn't seem to be really interested in peace," said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
"What the EU can and must do is tighten the sanction screws," he said, but admitted: "It's actually relatively obvious and not that easy at the same time.. ”
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's preparations to prepare for any form of negotiation that provides results. However, if Russia continues to propose "unrealistic conditions and undermine progress, there will be difficult consequences."
"There is no doubt that the war must end at the negotiating table," he said. However, "the suggestions on the table must be clear and realistic."