Despite Washington’s hesitation, Brussels continues to impose more and more sanctions on Russia.
The current dynamic between the US and the EU regarding Ukraine is reminiscent of a skydiving agreement where one person jumps while the other stays behind.
The EU has taken the plunge alone, while the US, under President Trump, remains on the sidelines. The EU’s approach seems overly optimistic.
On May 19, a German official indicated that the US would join the EU in another round of sanctions against Russia. However, the EU has proceeded independently, while Trump seemingly observes from a distance.
Berlin appears to be downplaying the divergence, stating, “Europe and America are very united on this point: We will closely support Ukraine on its path toward a ceasefire… We agreed on this with [Trump] after his conversation with Putin,” Chancellor Friedrich Merz .
Essentially, the EU asked Trump if he was okay with more sanctions on Russia. Trump likely viewed these sanctions as detrimental to the EU’s economy, benefiting the US through sales of expensive LNG.
Trump has since indicated his reluctance to impose further sanctions. He is not participating. If the EU chooses to damage its own economy, that is their decision. “Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse,” Trump said.
Trump consistently expresses his desire for peace and trade with Russia, contrasting with the EU’s Cold War-esque stance. It’s questionable whether the EU would be pursuing these sanctions without the Biden administration’s encouragement. Trump views the situation as a misguided effort by the previous administration, a “European situation.”
Interestingly, the Trump administration is framing its position not as a withdrawal, but as a “peace first” approach, opposed to endless conflicts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio even alluded to divine support. “We have a president of peace,” Rubio said at a recent Trump-hosted event, before recounting a chat with a Vatican cardinal for Pope Leo’s papal mass. “You know, it’s very unusual for us. We have an American president that wants peace, and it’s some of the Europeans that are constantly talking about doing war stuff.”
Trump, Rubio, and J.D. Vance are advocating for a swift peace agreement, or the US will disengage. Ukraine and Russia can resolve their conflict without US involvement. And Europe will have to manage the consequences.
Meanwhile, Brussels is recognizing the limitations of its financial resources. The initial enthusiasm of “whatever it takes” is now tempered by financial constraints. Ursula von der Leyen even it. “Over the past five years, our budget has punched above its weight. And we must also see now… we have reached the limits of what is possible.”
In other words, the EU economy is facing serious challenges.
Despite this, they have implemented another – the 17th. An 18th is already being prepared, with the hope that it will be more effective than the previous attempts.
This time, the sanctions target Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which delivers oil to countries outside the EU, allowing the EU to purchase it indirectly at higher prices.
Furthermore, the ships and many of the sanctioned companies are not Russian, but are based in countries like China (the EU’s largest trading partner), Serbia (an EU candidate), Türkiye (assisting with EU refugees), the UAE (a gas supplier), Vietnam, and Uzbekistan. This approach risks alienating other nations in an attempt to pressure Putin.
While the EU has previously criticized Trump’s tariffs, they are now imposing on Russian agricultural imports.
However, the EU had already banned most Russian goods. Some imports, such as fertilizer essential to the EU’s food production, continue to enter. In fact, Russian fertilizer imports increased by 12% in January alone, with Eurostat reporting an annual increase of 25%. This is difficult to explain to farmers protesting EU regulations while competing with Ukrainian grain.
The EU also imports Russian enriched uranium, vital for the nuclear reactors that supply about a quarter of Europe’s electricity. Brussels is now considering on this as well.
It seems the EU’s reaction to a crisis is to eliminate essential resources, ensuring no potential solutions remain available.