European Commission: Sanctions on Russia to remain until war ends

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in Strasbourg that EU sanctions against Russia, particularly in the energy sector, will remain in place until the war is fully concluded. Speaking at a European Parliament plenary session, she characterized Russia as an unreliable energy supplier that uses energy dependence as a weapon for blackmail.

Von der Leyen emphasized the need for a true energy union to leverage collective purchasing power and reduce dependencies. Regarding economic relations, she noted that while China has agreed to curb certain exports, such as hybrid vehicles, structural imbalances persist. She highlighted that the EU's trade deficit with China reached one billion euros daily in 2025, driven by industrial overcapacity and unfair market practices.

On migration, the Commission President addressed the use of migration as a weapon by actors in Russia and Belarus. She noted that an emergency system will be established by the end of the year to respond to threats at the EU's external borders, stressing that Europeans must decide who enters the Union.