**EU Leaders to Impose Tougher Sanctions on Russia**
The European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania is set to focus on tightening sanctions against Moscow. According to Politico, four unnamed European officials have confirmed that the talks will center on imposing stricter measures against Russia.
This comes as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Albania for the summit after a visit to Turkey. There, Ukrainian and Russian delegations met for their first direct talks since 2022. Kyiv expects to discuss an unconditional ceasefire and a potential meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, Russia has so far ignored Ukraine’s proposal for a ceasefire, made in March. The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his skepticism about Putin’s intentions, saying that he cannot be trusted.
**EU Diplomats Discuss Sanctions**
The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized the importance of political isolation in putting pressure on Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to target Nord Stream, impose stricter measures against Russia’s “shadow fleet,” lower the oil price cap, and take action against Russian and third-country banks aiding the war effort.
These moves are part of a broader effort by EU leaders to increase pressure on Moscow. As previously reported, President Zelensky and leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Poland have pledged to impose additional sanctions if Russia fails to accept their proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
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