International sanctions during the Ukrainian crisis

Photo: EPA/S. SABAWOON

A former NATO chief thinks the EU should reconcile itself with new US sanctions against Russia and accept them in the name of the Trans-Atlantic partnership.

According to Anders Fogh Rasmussen's op-ed published by the Financial Times, quoted by Sputnik, Russia's goal is to divide the West and win in the new Cold War.

Russia took its first steps on Friday to retaliate against proposed American sanctions for Moscow’s suspected meddling in the 2016 election, seizing two American diplomatic properties and ordering the United States Embassy to reduce staff by September.

Germany warned on July 28 that it would not accept any new U.S. sanctions against Russia that targeted European companies at the same time.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel underlined the importance of applying economic pressure on Russia over its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

Photo: kremlin.ru

Russia ordered the United States to cut its diplomatic staff by September 1 and said it was seizing a dacha compound and warehouse used by US diplomats in retaliation for new US sanctions against Moscow.

A former NATO chief thinks the EU should reconcile itself with new US sanctions against Russia and accept them in the name of the Trans-Atlantic partnership.

According to Anders Fogh Rasmussen's op-ed published by the Financial Times, quoted by Sputnik, Russia's goal is to divide the West and win in the new Cold War.

New US sanctions against Iran, Russia and North Korea "appear at odds with international law due to their extra-territorial reach."

This is according to the French Foreign Ministry, cited by Reuters on Wednesday.

The House of Representatives of the US Congress passed a bill to tighten sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, the world agencies said.

EU commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker called for an urgent debate on Brussels's response if European companies are affected by US anti-Russian sanctions. The announcement is made by the Financial Times, cited by TASS.

The European Union sounded an alarm on July 22 about moves in the U.S. Congress to step up U.S. sanctions on Russia, urging Washington to keep coordinating with its G7 partners and warning of unintended consequences.  

Germany's Siemens tried to distance itself from a Crimean sanctions scandal on July 21, halting deliveries of power equipment to Russian state-controlled customers and reviewing supply deals.