Washington: Senior officials from the United States and the European Union met on Monday at the U.S. Treasury Department to advance discussions on new coordinated sanctions against Russia, marking the first serious transatlantic effort of its kind since President Donald Trump returned to office.

The meeting, which lasted under two hours, brought together U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, representatives from the White House, State Department, and U.S. Trade Representative’s office, alongside European officials specializing in trade, energy, financial services, and sanctions enforcement. The talks centered on aligning new economic measures, imposing additional tariffs, and determining the future of frozen Russian sovereign assets held in European institutions.

European Union sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan led the EU delegation, signaling Brussels’ determination to move in step with Washington after months of strained coordination. This shift comes amid the most intense Russian aerial assault on Ukraine since the conflict began, with more than 800 drones and multiple missile strikes launched against Kyiv and other cities in recent days.

Officials said that discussions focused heavily on targeting Russia’s energy revenues, with proposals on the table to sanction major Russian banks and energy firms. Another key issue under consideration is the imposition of secondary sanctions aimed at countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, a move that would expand the scope of punitive measures beyond Moscow itself.

While European leaders had previously expressed frustration over Washington’s unilateral approach to diplomacy, Monday’s meeting suggests renewed willingness to work jointly. Both sides underscored the urgency of maintaining pressure on Moscow, particularly after Russia’s escalating strikes caused significant civilian casualties.

President Trump has indicated his readiness to pursue further sanctions but has yet to disclose the full scope of measures under consideration. European officials are said to be cautious, balancing their desire for firm action with concerns about energy dependencies and the potential global economic fallout.

A follow-up meeting between U.S. and European officials has already been scheduled for Tuesday, underscoring the urgency of the talks and the determination of both powers to present a united front.

The outcome of these discussions is expected to set the tone for the next phase of Western economic strategy against Russia, as both Washington and Brussels seek to curtail Moscow’s capacity to sustain its military campaign in Ukraine.