European foreign ministers ready to toughen action against Russia

Germany's Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul, Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attend a joint press conference, on the day of a meeting to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and security in Europe, at Villa Madama in Rome, Italy, June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

ROME (Reuters) -Foreign ministers from large European countries said on Thursday they were ready to step up pressure on Russia, "including through further sanctions" involving the energy and banking sector, to weaken Moscow in its war with Ukraine.

The meeting in Rome involved representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and the European Union. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and a Ukrainian representative also joined the talks.

"We are determined to keep Russian sovereign assets in our jurisdictions immobilised until Russia ceases its aggression and pays for the damage it has caused," the countries said in a statement.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Gavin Jones)