European Nations Develop Alternative to U.S. Plan for Ukraine Conflict as Zelenskyy Recounts Near-Collapse in Early war
BRUSSELS - as the first sanctions imposed by Donald Trump stemming from Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine prepare to take effect Friday night, following a month-long delay, European nations are quietly formulating a counter-proposal to Washington’s strategy for ending the war. The development comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr zelenskyy revealed his country faced a moment of near-collapse in the early stages of the conflict, when the threat of Kyiv falling loomed large.
the emerging European plan diverges from the U.S. approach by prioritizing continued pressure on Russia through expanded sanctions, specifically targeting its energy sector. This includes joining efforts to sanction the “shadow fleet” of oil tankers and aligning with the European Union’s price cap on Russian oil – a limit prohibiting Western shipping and insurance companies from handling oil exceeding the cap. These efforts aim to persuade Vladimir Putin to de-escalate the aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations, but doubts are growing regarding the effectiveness of sanctions alone.
The sanctions set to activate Friday night specifically target Russia’s two largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft. While Trump initially imposed these measures, he granted multiple postponements, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly questioned the necessity of increasing pressure on the Kremlin, despite European calls for a unified front.
Zelenskyy’s recent comments underscore the precariousness of Ukraine’s position during the initial invasion. Details of the specific moment were not disclosed, but his remarks highlight the critical importance of continued international support as the conflict enters a new phase, with both sides preparing for potential offensives. The divergence in strategic approaches between Washington and European capitals signals a perhaps complex path forward in the ongoing effort to resolve the war in Ukraine.
