The European Union is stepping up its efforts to sanction Russia in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and mounting pressure from the United States, particularly from former President Trump. Recent developments include the proposal of a full ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports to be implemented earlier than initially planned, with expectations to phase out such imports by 2027. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized the urgency of these sanctions as tensions rise, stating that the EU must increase pressure on Russia. The new sanctions package, marked as the 19th, targets various sectors including tourism and seeks to restrict Chinese companies engaged in purchasing Russian oil. As the EU navigates its energy strategy, there are also discussions about accelerating LNG phase-out and increasing imports from alternative sources.