European Union warns US over Russia sanctions bill



Mixed messages from WH on Russia sanctions 02:20

Story highlights

  • EU president promises action 'within days' if concerns not met
  • Russia says the bill risks worsening relations with the US
Moscow (CNN)The European Union has delivered a stern warning to the US over a plan to impose new sanctions on Russia, opening up the prospect of a rift between the two allies over how to deal with Moscow's foreign interventions.
EU President Jean-Claude Juncker said the bloc would act "within days" if it does not receive reassurances on the potential impact of new sanctions on European interests.
    Russia also reacted angrily, saying the sanctions bill passed by the US House of Representatives on Tuesday risked worsening the already poor relations between the two countries.
    The bill, drawn up largely in response to Moscow's alleged meddling in the 2016 US election, calls for new measures against Russia, North Korea and Iran. It also limits any effort by the White House to weaken such penalties.
    The EU has previously coordinated with the US over sanctions in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. But it fears the latest measures could hit companies that are involved in the financing of a controversial new pipeline, Nord Stream 2, that would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany.
    Russia sanctions: What you need to know
    Russia sanctions: What you need to know
    Juncker said the bill could have "unintended unilateral effects" on the EU's energy security. "This is why the Commission concluded today that if our concerns are not taken into account sufficiently, we stand ready to act appropriately within a matter of days," Juncker said. "America first cannot mean that Europe's interests come last."
    Germany, which strongly backs the new pipeline, said it was concerned over the sanctions. It would be "unacceptable for the United States to use possible sanctions as an instrument to serve the interests of US industry policies," Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schäfer said Wednesday.
    If the bill clears a vote in the US Senate, it then heads to the desk of US President Donald Trump. It is not clear if that will happen before Congress breaks for summer recess at the end of the month.
    Trump has not indicated whether he will sign the bill, which also gives Congress a way to block any easing of new sanctions against Russia, North Korea and Iran, as well as older ones against Russia.
    The House action came hours after Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law and senior adviser, was interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee about the 2016 campaign and allegations that the Trump campaign coordinated with Russian officials to help defeat his opponent, Hillary Clinton.
    Trump's presidency has been dogged by questions his campaign's ties with Russia and his pre-election promises to improve relations with Moscow. The Trump administration and the Russian government have consistently denied collusion.
    READ: Does US North Korea Sanctions bill risk China relationship?

    Fury in Moscow

    Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned that "the authors and sponsors of this legislation are taking a serious step towards the destruction of prospects for normalizing relations with Russia," according to state news agency Tass.
    Ryabkov said the plan "does not fit the framework of common sense" but insisted Russia was "not succumbing to emotions" in its response.
    Sanctions won't get the job done
    Sanctions won't get the job done
    "We will work to find ways to move forward, persistently, consistently looking for ways of searching for compromise on issues, which are significant for Russia and, I think, for the US," he said. "
    Russian lawmaker Konstantin Kosachev posted on his Facebook page that Russia should "prepare a reaction, because there must be one" to the sanctions bill.
    Kosachev added that Russia should "take into account the fact that dialogue with the current anti-Russian consensus in Congress (yesterday's vote was 419 to 3!) will not work. It will be this way for a long time. And President Trump cannot cope with his Congress."
    Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said his country would respond to the US new sanctions, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB

    Comments

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    China shows off newest weapons in huge military parade

    Image
    Chinese leader Xi Jinping presided over a major military parade Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump renewed his criticism over Beijing's failure to rein in North Korea. The parade, long anticipated but only officially announced Saturday, was part of the celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). It was also viewed as a potent reminder of Xi's firm grip on power ahead of a key Communist Party meeting this fall, where a major leadership reshuffle is expected. Chinese troops march in formation on Sunday. Unlike previous public displays of its growing military might, China held Sunday's event at the remote Zhurihe military base in Inner Mongolia -- instead of in the center of Beijing. A Defense Ministry spokesman said Zhurihe -- Asia's largest military training center in the middle of a desert and complete with life-size mockup targets such as Taiwan's presidential palace -- was selected to highlig...
    Read more

    Charlie Gard hospice move approved

    Image
    Image copyright FEATUREWORLD Image caption The 11-month-old has encephalomyopathic mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome Terminally-ill Charlie Gard will be moved to a hospice and have his life support withdrawn soon after, a High Court judge has said. Charlie's parents wanted a private medical team to care for their son in a hospice so they could have more time with him. But Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) said it was not in his best interests. Mr Justice Francis  approved a plan  which will see Charlie "inevitably" die shortly after being moved. The judge added that no details about when he would be moved and where could be made public. The story of Charlie Gard Image copyright FEATUREWORLD Image caption Charlie has been in intensive care since October Parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, and GOSH had until 12:00 BST to agree Charlie's end-of-life care. However, an agreement  was not reached by the noon deadline. The parents' lawyer, Grant Arm...
    Read more