The plan of anti-Russian sanctions proposed by US Senator Lindsey Graham and supported by other congressmen is very comprehensive and detailed, but it is unclear what form it will eventually take if approved. David O’Sullivan, the EU’s special representative for sanctions, said.
“It’s not clear exactly what the final decision will be, because you need the kindness of President Trump. I think we will follow with interest any decision approved in the United States. We will do our best to always move in the same direction,” the European Commission official said.
Asked whether the EU would be ready to go for mirror measures and the introduction of 500 per cent tariffs on goods from Russian oil-buying countries, O’Sullivan reminded that this decision is the prerogative of the 27 member states.
“I can’t say with certainty what they will finally be able to agree on. It’s important that your audience understands: we in Europe are very determined to continue to support Ukraine, to continue the pressure, to increase sanctions. However, on the details and the fine print of these sanctions, we will have to wait and see what happens in America,” O’Sullivan summarised.
In early April, US senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal introduced a document providing for additional sanctions against Russia if it refuses a lengthy peace settlement with Ukraine.
The bill, among other things, proposes to impose 500 per cent duties on imports from countries that buy Russian energy resources. American citizens are banned from buying Russian bonds.
The Wall Street Journal, citing its own sources, reported that the White House tried to soften some norms of the bill because of the unwillingness to harm diplomatic efforts to end the war.
US President Donald Trump himself told reporters that he had not yet read the bill and did not know whether he supported it.