The EU and Britain announced new sanctions against Russia on Tuesday without waiting for the United States to join them, a day after President Donald Trump spoke to Vladimir Putin without winning a promise for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

With negotiations back on the table, questions persist about whether the Kremlin is truly seeking peace — or simply buying time. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not genuinely interested in peace in Ukraine,

Europe needs to increase pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine through more targeted sanctions, said German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. View on euronews

European leaders agreed to increase pressure on Russia through sanctions after U.S. President Donald Trump briefed them on his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said late on Monday.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said his country is prepared to move toward spending 5% of its economic output on defense, backing a goal pushed by US President Donald Trump for NATO members and underscoring the new Berlin government’s more aggressive stance on the military.

EU leaders urge talks but brace for retaliation as Trump’s tariffs spark backlash, with warnings of global economic harm and calls for countermeasures.

Germany's new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed on the need to quickly resolve trade disputes in their first phone call since Merz took office earlier this week, a German government spokesperson said.

Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and US President Donald Trump agreed trade disputes should be resolved quickly and discussed the need for close cooperation between the two nations.

German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said the country was backing U.S. President Donald Trump's call to increase the defense spending target of NATO members.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff offensive has led European officials to cut their growth forecasts for this year and next, even in a best-case scenario in which the highest rates on most goods could be negotiated away.