EU stands firm on Russia sanctions despite US pause

The European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining economic pressure on Russia despite the US temporarily suspending a new sanctions package. The EU stated sanctions are pressuring Russia's economy but more action is needed. EU spokesperson Thomas Reigner said the bloc has provided Ukraine with 230 billion euros in total aid and approved its largest sanctions list expansion to date. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU will not lift any sanctions unless Russia ends the war. European leaders unanimously lamented the US decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel, which suspends the Graham Act. Trump justified the move as serving US national interests, while von der Leyen had previously praised the law as strengthening coordinated transatlantic action.