Paris/ Brussels, May 2 – The European Union (EU) is preparing to impose a 17th round of sanctions on Russia in response to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Thursday, describing Russian President Vladimir Putin as the “sole obstacle” to peace.
Following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Barrot said the new measures would be closely coordinated with forthcoming U.S. sanctions and potentially include economic penalties and energy-related tariffs, according to AFP.
“We Europeans will accompany this American initiative with a 17th package of sanctions,” Barrot said, adding that he had pledged to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham that the EU would synchronize the timing and substance of its response with Washington’s.
The EU has imposed a series of unprecedented sanctions on Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The bloc has made clear that no sanctions will be lifted until Russia fully and unconditionally withdraws its forces from Ukrainian territory.
Barrot was sharply critical of the Kremlin, stating, “It is now crystal clear that the only obstacle to peace today in Ukraine is Vladimir Putin.” He also noted that Russia has made “no effort” toward a ceasefire, unlike Ukraine, which has accepted an unconditional truce and recently concluded a major minerals agreement with the United States.
That deal will see the U.S. and Ukraine jointly develop the country’s critical mineral resources — a key component of Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction strategy and a step Kyiv hopes will lay the groundwork for future security guarantees.
Barrot said France, which has expertise in rare earths, was not ruling out a similar bilateral agreement with Ukraine.
The French minister described his talks with Rubio as “unfiltered,” underscoring the growing transatlantic alignment on Russia policy. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said the meeting aimed to “advance the path to peace in Ukraine” and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to working closely with European allies.
French President Emmanuel Macron has long advocated for greater European strategic autonomy, including a stronger European pillar within NATO. Barrot echoed that call, describing the current moment as “decisive” for Europe’s security role.
Addressing the issue of transatlantic trade frictions, Barrot also called for de-escalation of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, saying a return to the pre-sanctions trade environment would benefit both sides.
