Politico learned of discussions about "punitive tariffs" on Russian imports.

Participants in the European Political Community summit in Albania will discuss a sharp tightening of sanctions against Russia, Politico reports, citing four EU officials .

Two sources told the publication that the proposal specifically concerns "punitive tariffs" on Russian imports . This initiative originates from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who proposed imposing 500% tariffs on Moscow-made goods. "We are inspired by the scale of his proposal," the European official emphasized.

Following the start of the military operation in Ukraine, the EU imposed 16 sanctions against Russia but stopped short of a full trade embargo. The introduction of European tariffs was considered as a way to circumvent Hungary's blocking of restrictions against Moscow, Politico reports.

On May 14, EU ambassadors agreed on the 17th sanctions package against Russia, which will target nearly 200 vessels of the so-called shadow fleet used to circumvent current restrictions on oil and gas exports . As Handelsblatt reported, this initiative will likely not contain any harsh measures, as it did not include "controversial proposals" due to the risk of their being blocked by Hungary or Slovakia. EU sanctions require the unanimous support of the 27 member states.

Graham drafted a bill imposing "crushing sanctions" against Moscow in April and announced that a majority of senators supported it. He expressed confidence that the United States "will take decisive action to deal a strong blow to Russia" if a peace agreement with Ukraine is not reached soon.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that Ukraine resume direct talks in Istanbul on May 15. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he would personally welcome him at the meeting. A Russian delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, was dispatched to Turkey. The Kremlin ruled out Putin's participation in the talks.

Ukrainian negotiators, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, departed for Istanbul following Zelenskyy's meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in Ankara. The Ukrainian leader himself declined to participate in the talks and flew to Albania. The meeting between Moscow and Kyiv representatives has been rescheduled for May 16. According to RIA Novosti and TASS sources , it will begin at noon.

Moscow considers any Western restrictions illegal and insists on their lifting.

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