The EU Seeks Coordination with the Trump Administration to Initiate a New Round of Sanctions against Russia
EU sanctions representative David O'Sullivan arrived in Washington on Monday, September 8, leading an expert team to negotiate with the US, striving to push forward the first transatlantic coordinated sanctions package against Russia since Trump returned to the White House.
Reuters reported that after Trump's summit with Russian President Putin last month in Alaska, Russian forces continued to bomb Ukrainian cities. With the largest air strike since the war began over the weekend, European leaders hope President Trump will finally implement the sanctions he has repeatedly threatened.
Trump said on Sunday, September 7, that he was ready to launch the "second phase" of sanctions against Russia, which is his closest statement yet to announce new sanctions. Although he has repeatedly set deadlines for Moscow to cease hostilities since January, or else face harsher sanctions, he has always compromised before implementing measures.
The EU did not disclose specific details of O'Sullivan's trip. However, if a consensus can be reached with the US, it would be the first transatlantic coordinated sanctions against Russia since Trump's return. During the previous administration of Biden, the US and Europe had close coordination on sanctions against Russia.
Leaders of the rotating EU presidency, Antonio Costa, stated that the new sanctions are being "closely coordinated" with the US. EU officials have hopes for rebuilding cooperation, especially after being frustrated multiple times this year due to Trump's unilateral efforts to push for peace talks with Putin.
Currently, the US has not joined the EU, the UK, and Canada in further lowering the global price cap on Russian crude oil to $47.6 per barrel. The previous price cap has weakened the effectiveness of the sanctions due to falling international oil prices. Trump, however, announced high tariffs on goods imported from India, citing that India continues to purchase Russian oil.
Last Friday, Trump claimed he would "end this war, or else there will be serious consequences." On Sunday, when asked by reporters whether he was prepared to enter the "second phase" of sanctions, he replied, "Yes, I am ready." Although he did not elaborate, international oil prices rose by more than $1 on Monday.
Escalation of the Conflict: Civilian Facilities Targeted in Ukraine
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy stated that the large-scale air strikes by Russian forces over the weekend caused at least four deaths, including an infant, and sparked a fire at the government building in Kyiv. On Monday, Russian forces launched a new round of attacks targeting power stations and the power grid near Kyiv, causing local power outages. The ministry stated that the Russian objective is "to cause greater suffering to the Ukrainian people, making families, hospitals, kindergartens, and schools lose light and warmth."
The Kremlin denied intentionally attacking civilians, insisting that attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure are a "legal means" aimed at weakening Kyiv's combat capabilities. Ukraine emphasized that curbing Russian oil export revenues is the only effective way to weaken the Russian military's war funding.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842770937233483/
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