The meeting between Zelensky and Macron came as European leaders gathered in Brussels to discuss the situation in Ukraine, the new EU sanctions package against Russia, and ongoing security cooperation within the bloc.
Speaking to reporters, Putin mocked the EU's decision, warning that such measures would "cost them dearly." He added, "They will need Russian toilets if they continue to behave this way."
The 19th package of sanctions against Russia introduces a gradual phase out of imports of Russian LNG, blacklists "shadow fleet" of vessels, restricts movement of Russian diplomats. It also sanctions banks and cryptocurrencies and imposes restrictions on companies from India and China.
The Council confirmed that imports of Russian gas will be prohibited from January 2026, while maintaining a transition period for existing short term contracts from June 2026 whereas long-term contracts may run until January 1, 2028.
"No, it's not nice. I mean, to see that really a person put to the arrest ward by the ICC is coming to a European country. And again, you know, the question is whether there's any outcome out of this," Kallas said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an accelerated timeline to completely phase out Russian oil and gas imports to the European Union by the end of 2025, emphasising the urgency to cut off funding for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.
In another post, Graham also said that US tariffs on India are "going to dividends" and now is the time for Trump to impose the same tariffs on China and Russia as well.
The sanctions come days after United States President Donald Trump urged NATO nations to halt oil purchases from Moscow and impose penalties on countries continuing energy trade with Russia.
While speaking at a special press briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives and the UK, Misri responded to concerns about the 18th round of sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia, which directly target Moscow's energy, banking, and defence industries.
The European Union's recent sanctions on Russian oil, energy, banking and defence industries are aimed at degrading Moscow's "war economy" while preserving global oil market stability, said Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to India Herve Delphin on Saturday.
India rejected the EU's new sanctions, saying it doesn't support unilateral measures. It stressed its commitment to legal obligations and highlighted energy security as a key priority. India also called for avoiding double standards, especially in energy trade.