EU ready to impose more sanctions on Russia after summit talks

Show of unity marred by Viktor Orbán refusing to back the declaration of support for Ukraine

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre give a joint press conference following their meeting at the prime minister's residence, in Oslo, Thursday, March 20, 2025. Picture: Ole Berg-Rusten/NTB Scanpix via AP

EU leaders – apart from Hungary’s Viktor Orbán – say they are ready to increase pressure on Russia through further sanctions, as summit talks exposed a geographical divide on rearming Europe.

Meeting in Brussels, the bloc agreed it was ready to levy further sanctions on Russia and strengthen existing measures after talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who joined by video link.