The European Union must focus on a new sanctions package to suffocate Russia's economy and force President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, France's foreign minister said.

Speaking ahead of the second day of the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Antalya, Türkiye, Wadephul noted strong alignment between the U.S. and Europe on the issue of sanctions. “There is complete agreement with the United States,

Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced the commander of Russia's ground forces, Army General Oleg Salyukov, 69, appointing him deputy secretary of the Security Council, according to a decree published on the Kremlin's website on Thursday.

Russia deployed a fighter jet in NATO airspace this week after Estonia tried to inspect a so-called shadow fleet tanker passing the EU-member’s economic area, Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.

The EU has given the greenlight to a fresh round of sanctions against Russia, sharpening its focus on the Kremlin’s 'shadow' oil fleet and foreign companies accused of aiding its war machine.

European Council President António Costa has criticized the trip by Serbia's president to Russia’s Victory Day parade last week.

Estonia is warning that Russia appears willing to defend with military force its shadow fleet of aging tankers dodging international sanctions to keep oil revenue flowing.

The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, threatening to slap on another one if the country continues to refuse the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by the White House and the "Coalition of the Willing".

The European Commission wants to halt EU imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027. It wants to deprive Russian President Vladimir Putin of revenue fueling his war on Ukraine.