EU preparing to strengthen sanctions against russia in case Trump elected US president — Reuters
The European Union wants to strengthen sanctions restrictions against the aggressor country russia in the event that Donald Trump comes to the White House. The EU fears that Trump's arrival could undermine the West's efforts to isolate moscow.
It was reported by the Reuters agency with reference to European diplomats familiar with the matter.
According to the interlocutors of the agency, European diplomats are currently discussing several initiatives at once. They are designed to preserve EU sanctions in the long term if the U.S. decides to reverse course on russia.
Among the possible steps are comprehensive provisions on the detection and termination of suspicious supplies of goods to russia, as well as broader restrictions on the transportation of russian oil.
Also under discussion is a change in the requirement that the freezing of russian assets should be continued by the members of the European Union every six months.
Interlocutors of the agency added that such preparations are being made because a number of European capitals fear that Trump's arrival could lead to a change in the U.S. position. This will put the European Union in a difficult position, since it is Washington that primarily enforces the rules thanks to its broad powers to punish sanctions violators.
The agency recalled that during Trump's presidency, the United States canceled the international agreement with Iran regarding the nuclear program and unilaterally reinstated sanctions, “leaving Europe out on a limb.”
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in February 2024, The Washington Post wrote that European officials are discussing the creation of a continental alliance in case the United States refuses to defend its NATO allies in Europe after the arrival of Trump.
Recall that at the beginning of this year, Trump said that he would encourage russia to attack NATO countries that do not fulfill their financial obligations to the alliance.