The European Union and the United States have hit a roadblock in their efforts to counter alleged sanctions evasion by Russia, according to a recent report by Süddeutsche Zeitung. The news outlet cited an internal document from Germany’s Foreign Office, which revealed that the EU’s sanctions envoy, David O’Sullivan, expressed concern over the lack of unity between Brussels and Washington on anti-Russia restrictions. This breakdown in coordination has significant implications, as the US has been a key driver of sanctions against Russia since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022.
The EU and US have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia, including bans on seaborne oil, asset freezes, and restrictions targeting the country’s economy, trade, and defense sectors. However, recent efforts to prevent sanctions evasion have been hindered by a lack of cooperation between the two powers. The EU has been pushing for additional measures to prevent vessels from operating outside recognized insurance systems, including sanctioning Russia’s trade partners, such as China. Nevertheless, the US does not support these moves, with O’Sullivan reportedly acknowledging a total breakdown in coordination with Washington on measures targeting Russia.
US President Donald Trump has threatened tougher sanctions on Russia if negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict fail, but officials believe he is looking to restore business ties with Russia sooner rather than later. A recent Bloomberg report claimed that the US has become “unresponsive” in working groups focused on sanctions enforcement, further casting doubt on the passage of the next EU sanctions package. This package is expected to target Russia’s energy and banking sectors, but its approval is now uncertain due to opposition from Hungary and Washington’s fading support.
The potential consequences of a full US withdrawal from the sanctions regime are significant, according to German MEP Sergey Lagodinsky. “The problem is that the US has been the de facto driving force behind the sanctions,” he said, suggesting that such a withdrawal would likely bring the entire system to a halt. Moscow has repeatedly denounced Western sanctions as illegal and ineffective, arguing that they have failed to destabilize the Russian economy and have instead backfired on the countries that imposed them. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the future of sanctions against Russia remains uncertain, and the lack of unity between the EU and US is likely to have far-reaching consequences.
