New US sanctions against Russia: the EU will discuss protective measures

The head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Junker urged to urgently discuss the response of the European Union to adopt the new sanctions of Washington against Russia, which can affect European interests. It is reported by The Financial Times with reference to a document prepared for the European Commission meeting.

The junker’s note contains various options for the possible EU reaction to the introduction of new anti -Russian sanctions. In particular, it is proposed to demand from President Donald Trump “Public or Written Award” that the restrictions will not affect the interests of the European Union and will not contradict it.

In addition, the note says, the European Union may recognize the US sanctions invalid on its territory that contradict the policy or interests of the EU countries, for example, in relation to Russian energy companies with joint projects with the countries of the European Union. Under the threat of restrictions, companies that are involved in the construction of new gas pipelines between Russia and Germany as part of the North Stream-2 project, or enterprises operating in railway, financial, shipping or mining sectors may be under the construction of new gas pipelines. In this case, instead of canceled restrictions, some “response measures that meet the requirements of the WTO” will be introduced.

The note notes that Brussels "must be ready for actions in the coming days" if new restrictions "are accepted without taking into account the EU concern." The meeting of the European Commission will be held on Wednesday, July 25, the next day after the Congress consideration of the sanctions bill.

On Sunday, the White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on the air of the ABC News television channel that Trump would support sanctions against Moscow , since his administration occupies a "tough position in relation to Russia."

On Saturday, the processed version of the bill on new sanctions against Russia and Iran appeared on the congress website . Voting in the lower house is scheduled for Tuesday, July 25. To adopt the bill, it will be necessary that at least two -thirds of the deputies vote for it.

The document provides for the consolidation of the previous orders of the US administration at the legislative level. In addition, he imposes sanctions against Russia for interfering in the American presidential campaign last year. The bill also obliges the US president to coordinate any softening of sanctions with Congress.

The initial version of the document was adopted by the Senate on June 14 . 97 members of the upper house were supported by his support; Against - only Republicans Mike Lee and Rand Paul.

After that, the draft law was transferred to the House of Representatives, however, on June 19 , the vote was postponed there and sent the document for consideration to the Foreign Committee. Repeatedly to the lower ward the bill was introduced on July 12 .