European powers have forged ahead with fresh sanctions on Russia, intensifying pressure on Moscow – and on Washington – to act decisively for a credible peace agreement in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin has visited Kursk for the first time since claiming to have completely retaken the Russian region from Ukrainian forces, state media reported on Wednesday, as the Russian president attempts to repel international pressure to agree to a 30-day ceasefire on the other side of the border.

The European Union is considering cutting more than 20 banks from SWIFT, the international payments system, as well as lowering a price cap on Russian oil and banning the Nord Stream gas pipelines as part of a new sanctions package that aims to increase pressure on Moscow to end its war against Ukraine.

Moscow had discussed reviving the gas pipeline in talks with President Trump on improving economic ties with Washington.

The E.U. and Britain have announced fresh sanctions against Russia’s secretive shipping network, in the latest bid to cut off funding for the Kremlin’s war machine.

In a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the need for a unified and coordinated stance towards Russia, underlining that without international pressure, there can be no just peace.