U.S. sanctions on Russia: key that Republicans are leading initiative

And so it is. After the conclusion of the economic agreement between Ukraine and the United States, other “shifts” in political layers in the United States began. 74 senators out of 100 (the overwhelming majority) supported a bill to impose 500% customs tariffs on all countries importing energy (gas, oil, gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, coal, etc.) from Russia. 

A dozen countries are subject to these sanctions. Among them are China and India. The bill is to enter into force on May 8. This should be done in sync with the introduction of the 17th package of EU sanctions against Russia by the European Union. These sanctions will be announced on May 8 during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in the German city of Gymnich. They also include the cessation of oil imports through the Turkish Stream. 

“To this we add the fact that Saudi Arabia has just recently significantly increased its oil production, which has caused the highest quality oil brands to fall to $60 per barrel. Russian Urals oil is not able to withstand such competition. Oil production in Russia can only continue for domestic needs.“

The author of the U.S. sanctions bill is not a Democrat, but a well-known Republican, Lindsey Graham. Most importantly, the initiative has been supported by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“Putin would be making a big mistake if he tries to play games with Trump,” said Graham, noting that this law will serve as a tool to force Putin to come to the negotiating table.

And it's strange that the rhetoric of American officials has shifted dramatically by 180°. The White House Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, stated, "Russia will never win this war against Ukraine. Its salvation lies only in making peace."

The EU applauded such rhetoric from the U.S. "We, Europeans, will support this American initiative with the 17th sanctions package, and I promised Senator Lindsey Graham that we will try to coordinate these two sanction packages both in substance and timing," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

Barrot also stated that the goal of the new European sanctions is to intensify pressure on Moscow if it refuses to engage in a ceasefire. According to him, Russian leader Vladimir Putin "has made no efforts" and has not signaled any readiness for peace with Ukraine.

Source

About the author. Rostyslav Demchuk, journalist, expert on Euro-Atlantic issues.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.