FT: Differences remain between US, EU on issue of sanctions against Russia

The US and EU are still unable to bridge their differences over sanctions against Russia in the event of a hypothetical invasion of Ukraine, Report informs referring to Financial Times.

According to the publication, discussions on coordinated restrictive measures by Western countries against Russia are complicated by the fact that a number of EU member states are economically heavily dependent on Russian projects, including in the gas sector. The US and the EU are currently working on compiling a final list of possible export restrictions against the Russian Federation that would affect high-tech industries and seriously affect the Russian economy.

In the context of the EU’s preparatory actions in the event of an escalation of tension between Russia and Ukraine, the newspaper also informed about Brussels’ plans to ensure stable supplies of energy resources to Europe. The EU’s emergency planning priority is to cope with any reduction in gas flows from Russia, which, as the largest supplier to Europe, accounts for about 40% of fuel imports, the newspaper notes.

It includes possible contingency measures to reduce the risks associated with rising gas prices, a possible migration crisis and cybersecurity threats in the event of a hypothetical Moscow aggression against Kyiv.