Channels

EU warns US it may respond swiftly to counter new sanctions on Russia

The European Union warned on Wednesday that it was ready to act within days to counter proposed new US sanctions on Russia, saying they would harm the bloc's energy security.

 

Sanctions legislation overwhelmingly approved by the US House of Representatives on Tuesday has angered EU officials: they see it as breaking transatlantic unity in the West's response to Moscow's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

 

Brussels also fears the new sanctions will harm European firms with connections to Russia, and oil and gas projects on which the EU is dependent.

 

"The US bill could have unintended unilateral effects that impact the EU's energy security interests," EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker said in a statement issued after a meeting at which European commissioners were united in their views, according to a senior EU official.

 

"If our concerns are not taken into account sufficiently, we stand ready to act appropriately within a matter of days. 'America First' cannot mean that Europe's interests come last," he said, mentioning President Donald Trump's guiding slogan.

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.26.17, 18:39