Trump confuses Europe: New sanctions against Russia are in danger!

Trump confuses Europe: New sanctions against Russia are in danger!

Geopolitical tensions related to the Ukraine war could be further exacerbated by US President Donald Trump's recent decisions. Loud fr.de The EU imposes new sanctions against Russia due to ongoing aggression in the region. These sanctions are aimed at maintaining economic pressure on Moscow, while Trump, after a phone call with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, has announced that he will refrain from imposing new US sanctions. This is causing confusion among allies as many worry about the unity of Western states regarding Russia.

Current statistics show that in 2021 the US accounted for only 3.6% of Russian exports and 5.9% of imports from Russia. The EU, on the other hand, has traditionally been Russia's most important trading partner with an export share of 40%. The EU's economic sanctions have had a greater impact on Russia in the past, as many Russian companies rely on Western technology. In the Russian aviation industry, for example, spare parts have become scarce, which is leading to extensive shutdowns for airlines.

Consequences of the sanctions

The Kremlin has suffered massive losses in revenue since the sanctions began. A prominent example is Gazprom, which was forced to make mass layoffs. The USA, on the other hand, continues to rely on arms supplies and military support for Ukraine, while the existing sanctions, including the exclusion of Russia from the SWIFT system, remain in force.

The G7 countries are also discussing adjustments to the oil price cap, which is currently at $60 per barrel. In particular, the EU plans to lower the price cap to $50 to further reduce Russia's revenue. Secondary sanctions could also affect countries such as China and India that buy Russian oil above the established price cap.

The uncertainty remains great

Trump's future course of action remains unclear. While he is considering tightening sanctions to persuade Putin to end the war in Ukraine, Senator Lindsey Graham is also taking action. He is leading a bipartisan bill that would impose secondary tariffs on countries that import Russian energy products. This could have a significant impact on trading partners such as India and China, which are already unsettled and have adjusted their imports accordingly.

Trump also expressed concerns about continued attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine while demanding concessions from Ukraine. However, President Zelenskyy rejects giving up areas that Russia annexed in 2014. In this complex geopolitical environment, further developments and the effects of the sanctions remain to be seen. Merkur.de reports that Russia's economy, particularly in the energy sector, is particularly vulnerable because revenue from oil and gas sales is a key source of funding for the Ukraine war.