The European Commission will delay presenting its next Russia sanctions package, European Union officials said on Tuesday, as the bloc searches for a response to the Trump administration's demand that it phase out purchases of Russian oil and gas faster.
The Commission had been expected to present a 19th package of sanctions to envoys of the 27 EU member states on Wednesday that diplomats said was likely to include Russian banks, Moscow's sanctions-evading "shadow fleet" and listings to stop circumvention in third countries.
No new date has been set for discussions of the package, the official said. The delay was first reported by Politico.
Trump presses EU to end imports of Russian energy
In recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump has cranked up pressure on the EU to cut off energy revenue to Moscow in his efforts to end the war in Ukraine. As Russia's most lucrative source of revenue, its fuel exports have helped to fund the war.
Washington is demanding that the EU impose steep trade tariffs on India and China, the biggest purchasers of Russian oil, and quit importing Russian energy itself.
Europe already plans to end purchases of Russian oil and gas by 1 January, 2028 - a goal it says is ambitious and would ensure that EU countries do not face energy price spikes or supply shortages in the meantime.
But Washington wants the bloc to move faster.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday the Trump administration would not impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods to halt China's purchases of Russian oil unless European countries hit China and India with punitive duties of their own.
European officials have said the bloc was very unlikely to impose crippling tariffs on India or China, treating tariffs differently to sanctions.
"It's a challenging proposition (from Trump)," one EU diplomat told Reuters.
"Even if his requests are deliberately excessive, it still forces us to come to terms with them in some kind of way in order to avoid him shifting the blame onto the EU."
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Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Azerbaijan is evacuating nearly 200 people from the Middle East on a special charter flight departing from Oman.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
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