Trump Sets Impossible Demands on EU Sanctions

Trump is setting the EU deliberately impossible conditions for sanctions against Russia.

European diplomats believe that US President Donald Trump has deliberately set impossible demands on the European Union. This allows him to reserve the right not to strengthen sanctions against Moscow.

The publication’s sources are certain that Trump’s demand that all EU countries completely stop importing Russian energy resources was designed from the start to fail. Understanding that some countries will be unable or unwilling to give up oil, the US president has the opportunity to explain why Washington is not imposing additional pressure on Russia.

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Conditions and Europe’s Response

Earlier, Trump stated that the United States is prepared for “serious sanctions” against Moscow, but only on the condition that all NATO members stop buying Russian energy. He also criticized Europe for its soft approach and continued trade with Russia.

Following her conversation with Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to accelerate the gradual phase-out of Russian fuel. Poland took a similar position: Warsaw demanded an end to oil imports from Russia by the end of 2026 in order to reduce funding for the Russian military.

Real Possibilities

In fact, the EU is unlikely to be able to implement even more lenient plans. Initially, the bloc intended to phase out Russian energy resources by 2028, but then pushed the deadline back to 2027. However, experts note that accelerating the pace demanded by Washington is currently impossible.

Marina Shcherbina

Marina Shcherbina has been working at Scopex since 2025. Her expertise lies in Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly the Israel-Palestine issue, as well as broader global politics, U.S. Congressional decisions, and the war in Ukraine. She is known for her analytical mind and her ability to explain the most complex processes in international politics and economics with clarity and simplicity.

In addition, she has a strong grasp of technology, IT, and the media landscape. Prior to joining Scopex, Marina led multiple media teams and served as the senior editor for major news outlets.