European leaders are striving to agree on a tactical approach to a possible resolution of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict and are willing to wait for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Turkey before intervening in American sanctions initiatives against Moscow
This indicates the EU's desire to remain neutral and prioritize diplomatic negotiations, while not ruling out the possibility of applying pressure through sanctions if diplomatic efforts fail. Sources aligned with news agencies "European Pravda" and Bloomberg report that European and American diplomats held a series of consultations on May 12. According to their information, these negotiations concluded that the United States aims to give Russia and Ukraine a chance to negotiate, with talks scheduled for May 15, and to provide an initial opportunity to find peace pathways before intensifying sanctions pressure on Vladimir Putin. At the same time, if the Kremlin refuses to meet with Zelensky or if Russia does not agree to a unilateral and unconditional ceasefire on the same day, European leaders will publicly declare that U.S. President Donald Trump must fulfill his prior promise and impose new sanctions against Moscow. Unfortunately, during the negotiations on May 12, American diplomats refrained from providing a clear forecast regarding what specific measures would be taken if Russia's aggression in Ukraine persists or escalates. They did not confirm their readiness to impose sanctions if Moscow attacks Ukraine this week, nor did they outline concrete plans of action in case Putin refuses to meet or if military actions continue. Earlier, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin confirmed the intention to hold talks with Kyiv in Istanbul on May 15, although no official meeting agreement has yet been signed. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated he demands Ukrainian authorities agree to negotiations with Russia precisely in the Turkish city, despite Moscow's previous indication that the demand "first a ceasefire, then negotiations" is unfounded and unlikely to be considered. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he is prepared to speak personally with Vladimir Putin on May 15 in Istanbul — thus expressing his openness to diplomatic initiatives. Simultaneously, U.S. President Donald Trump did not rule out the possibility of his visit to Turkey on May 15, adding tension to the diplomatic coordination of upcoming meetings between parties involved in the conflict. In light of these events, the European Union has once again raised the issue of potential sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline — if Russia continues to refuse to cease military actions and delays diplomatic resolution, Brussels negotiators are ready to consider imposing economic sanctions on companies involved in this strategic energy project. Such measures could be taken just ahead of or during the planned negotiations in Turkey, to send Moscow a clear signal of the EU’s seriousness in stopping the aggression and ensuring stability in the region. Overall, the situation surrounding future diplomatic steps remains tense and cautious, while the international community awaits the outcome of talks in Turkey, viewing them as crucial for determining the next course of action in the Moscow-Kyiv conflict, as well as for shaping new sanctions scenarios.