Germany pledges fresh EU sanctions following Putin-Trump phone call
(MENAFN) Germany has voiced support for a new round of European Union sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector, following a recent phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Berlin is urging Washington to join the initiative, although reports suggest Trump is hesitant to increase pressure on Moscow.
German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said on Monday that Berlin endorses sanctions related to the Nord Stream pipeline network. “It is, of course, also crucial that the U.S. will accompany a potential sanctions package,” he added.
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines—connecting Russia and Germany beneath the Baltic Sea—have been inactive since 2022, following EU sanctions and incidents of sabotage. Russia has claimed the sabotage was carried out by Western intelligence services.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently stated that the upcoming sanctions would target Russia’s financial institutions, a network of ships used to circumvent oil restrictions, and the Nord Stream infrastructure. The aim is to pressure Russia into agreeing to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.
Moscow has indicated it is open to a ceasefire "in principle," but believes such a move would primarily benefit Ukraine by giving its military time to regroup. Russia continues to condemn Western sanctions as illegal and maintains that its economy has adapted to the prolonged restrictions.
The push for sanctions comes shortly after a two-hour phone call between Trump and Putin. Putin characterized the discussion as “substantive and candid,” and stated that Russia is willing to work with Ukraine on a draft peace memorandum. Trump called the conversation “excellent,” and claimed that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine toward a ceasefire—and ultimately an end to the war—would begin immediately.
According to the Financial Times, European officials were reportedly “stunned” by Trump’s remarks. Sources suggested that Trump showed no intention of increasing pressure on Russia and made no commitments regarding further sanctions. He also implied that the U.S. would scale back its involvement and allow Russia and Ukraine to negotiate directly.
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