EU Taking Steps to Make Russia Sanctions Resilient to Trump's Influence – Reuters
According to sources cited by Reuters, the EU intends to maintain its restrictions on Russia, independent of the outcome of the US election. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The EU is striving to reinforce its sanctions against Russia amid concerns that Donald Trump might undermine Western efforts to isolate the country if he wins the US presidential election, according to informed sources cited by Reuters.
Officials within the bloc are exploring various initiatives to ensure that the EU's restrictions remain in effect long-term, even if there are changes in Washington's approach, the news outlet reported on Friday.
Brussels is contemplating tightening the enforcement of its sanctions against Moscow. Potential measures being discussed include implementing “catch-all” clauses to identify and halt suspicious shipments bound for Russia, as well as broader restrictions on oil shipping, as indicated by the sources. Customs officials may be permitted to delay shipments if the destination seems “illogical,” such as transiting through Russia to reach Central Asian nations, the sources explained.
Another proposal involves altering the current six-month renewal requirement for freezing Russian central bank assets among EU members, extending these intervals to 36 months, the report stated.
Approximately $300 billion in Russian assets has been blocked by the West since the escalation of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022, with the majority of the frozen funds held within the EU.
The bloc found itself “wrongfooted” when Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the international Iranian nuclear deal during his first presidential term from 2017 to 2021. EU officials are now apprehensive about a potential similar reversal regarding Russia if the Republican nominee is re-elected on November 5, as shared by two sources with the agency.
"Any softening by Washington would leave Europe in a difficult position, as it is the US, with sweeping powers to punish sanctions busting globally, that primarily enforces the rules,” Reuters observed.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has frequently suggested that he might reduce US aid to Ukraine if he returns to the White House. He has also evaded direct inquiries from journalists regarding whether he supports Kiev's victory over Moscow, instead asserting that he could resolve the conflict within 24 hours. Last week, the Republican candidate stated that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky “should never have let that war start. That war is a loser.”
Speaking at the BRICS Summit in Kazan on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted that the West’s “unlawful unilateral sanctions” and interference in other countries' affairs are actively undermining both regional and global strategic stability and fostering “interstate strife.” He characterized the belief in the US and EU that they could achieve a strategic defeat of Russia through economic sanctions and support for Ukraine as “a mere illusion.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
Officials within the bloc are exploring various initiatives to ensure that the EU's restrictions remain in effect long-term, even if there are changes in Washington's approach, the news outlet reported on Friday.
Brussels is contemplating tightening the enforcement of its sanctions against Moscow. Potential measures being discussed include implementing “catch-all” clauses to identify and halt suspicious shipments bound for Russia, as well as broader restrictions on oil shipping, as indicated by the sources. Customs officials may be permitted to delay shipments if the destination seems “illogical,” such as transiting through Russia to reach Central Asian nations, the sources explained.
Another proposal involves altering the current six-month renewal requirement for freezing Russian central bank assets among EU members, extending these intervals to 36 months, the report stated.
Approximately $300 billion in Russian assets has been blocked by the West since the escalation of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022, with the majority of the frozen funds held within the EU.
The bloc found itself “wrongfooted” when Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the international Iranian nuclear deal during his first presidential term from 2017 to 2021. EU officials are now apprehensive about a potential similar reversal regarding Russia if the Republican nominee is re-elected on November 5, as shared by two sources with the agency.
"Any softening by Washington would leave Europe in a difficult position, as it is the US, with sweeping powers to punish sanctions busting globally, that primarily enforces the rules,” Reuters observed.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has frequently suggested that he might reduce US aid to Ukraine if he returns to the White House. He has also evaded direct inquiries from journalists regarding whether he supports Kiev's victory over Moscow, instead asserting that he could resolve the conflict within 24 hours. Last week, the Republican candidate stated that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky “should never have let that war start. That war is a loser.”
Speaking at the BRICS Summit in Kazan on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted that the West’s “unlawful unilateral sanctions” and interference in other countries' affairs are actively undermining both regional and global strategic stability and fostering “interstate strife.” He characterized the belief in the US and EU that they could achieve a strategic defeat of Russia through economic sanctions and support for Ukraine as “a mere illusion.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
