Brussels, Oct 23 (AP) The European Union has implemented additional economic sanctions against Russia, following new punitive measures introduced by US President Donald Trump targeting the Russian oil sector. Russian state media has dismissed these sanctions as largely ineffective.

These sanctions are part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at cutting off the revenue that finances Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with the goal of pressuring President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long advocated for stronger international action against Russia for its aggression towards Ukraine. In Brussels, Zelenskyy expressed optimism, stating, “We waited for this. God bless, it will work. And this is very important,” as EU nations announced the latest sanctions during a summit.

Despite ongoing US-led peace initiatives, the war has persisted for over three years, with European leaders increasingly alarmed by the threat posed by Russia. Ukrainian forces have managed to hold off Russia’s larger military in a prolonged war of attrition along a 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) front line in eastern and southern Ukraine. Russian long-range strikes have targeted Ukraine’s power infrastructure in anticipation of a harsh winter, while Ukrainian forces have retaliated by striking Russian oil refineries and manufacturing sites.

The sanctions specifically target critical sectors of the Russian economy, including oil and gas, the aging fleet of tankers circumventing sanctions, and the financial sector. A new system will also be established to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats within the EU’s 27 member states. Zelenskyy called on more countries to join the sanctions, stating, “This is a good signal to other countries in the world to join the sanctions.”

Following the announcement of the additional sanctions, international crude oil prices surged by over USD 2 per barrel. However, state-run and pro-Kremlin media in Russia downplayed the impact of the sanctions. Komsomolskaya Pravda, a popular pro-Kremlin tabloid, remarked, “Pressure or no pressure, it won’t make things any sweeter for Zelenskyy. And what’s more, it won’t bring peace any closer.” Similarly, RIA Novosti described the new sanctions as “painful, as usual, but not deadly.”

Senior officials in Europe and the United States have been deliberating for months on how to intensify pressure on the Kremlin. The latest EU sanctions took nearly a month to finalize, adding to the 18 previous packages of sanctions imposed on Russia since the onset of the war. However, achieving consensus on specific targets can be a lengthy process, and Moscow has demonstrated an ability to evade sanctions.

The US sanctions against Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil were introduced after Trump indicated that his plans for a swift meeting with Putin were on hold, as he did not want it to be a “waste of time.” This development adds another layer to Trump’s fluctuating approach to resolving the conflict, as Putin remains steadfast in his demands.

In a show of military readiness, Putin directed drills of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces on Wednesday, serving as a reminder of the country’s nuclear capabilities.

Overnight, both sides continued their offensive operations. In Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, Russia executed a double-tap drone strike, targeting the same location a second time when first responders arrived, resulting in the death of one emergency worker and injuries to five others, according to regional head Oleh Syniehubov. Additionally, Russian drones attacked three districts in Kyiv, injuring eight individuals, as reported by the city’s prosecutor’s office.

The Russian Defence Ministry claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 139 Ukrainian drones over Russian territories and the annexed Crimean peninsula during the night. It did not address unconfirmed reports of Ukrainian drones striking another oil refinery and an unspecified energy facility.