UK and Germany push for tougher Russian sanctions amid US policy shifts

European nations are pushing for stricter economic measures against Russia, even as the United States considers easing certain restrictions. During a G20 finance ministers meeting in Bangkok, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil rejected efforts to reintegrate Russia into the international stage, stating that Russia will not return as a “normal member of the G20.”

In the United Kingdom, the government has expanded sanctions against Russia’s oil industry, targeting companies such as Zarubezhneft and INK Capital, along with a dozen shadow-fleet tankers. British officials claim these measures now cover more than 90% of Russia’s oil production capacity. Finance Minister John Healey urged allies to tighten bans on shipping services that assist Russia’s “sanctions-busting shadow fleet.”

These moves highlight a growing divergence in policy between London and Washington. While Britain seeks to tighten restrictions, reports indicate the Trump administration is considering easing sanctions on certain vessels to address high freight rates. Additionally, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz affirmed that Europe will maintain control over frozen Russian sovereign assets, rejecting proposals to transfer them to a US-supervised vehicle.