The Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Sanctions Policy, Vladyslav Vlasюк, has refuted the widespread media rumors about supposed breakdowns in cooperation between the United States and the European Union in the sphere of sanctions policy, assuring that no such situation exists and that interaction with Ukraine’s main international partners continues as usual
Reports about a supposed "collapse" in cooperation appeared recently, particularly following publications in German media, which claimed that significant disagreements had arisen between the U.S. and the EU regarding information sharing and efforts to counter Russia’s sanctions evasion. According to these sources, a complete “rupture” in joint efforts had occurred, causing considerable concern among political circles and expert communities. However, Vladyslav Vlasюк, responsible for forming and promoting Ukraine’s sanctions policy, categorically dismisses these claims. In a post on his official Facebook page, he emphasized that cooperation between the U.S. and the European Union remains intact and strong. He noted that meetings and high-level consultations have continued over the past few weeks, during which pressing issues such as sanctions circumvention, their strengthening, and implementation mechanisms were discussed. “I have participated twice in joint working meetings with American representatives in Europe over the past three weeks. At these events, we discussed both possible ways to circumvent sanctions and measures to tighten them,” Vlasюк stated. He added that, naturally, the level of activity, the ‘impulse,’ and the decision-making speed have somewhat changed, which is quite normal given the current global political climate. At the same time, he underscored that obstructing cooperation or its integrity is currently impossible. “Collapse of cooperation? That’s absolutely false and untrue. I have seen my American colleagues many times — and our joint work continues,” Vlasюк emphasized. His words clearly reflect confidence that, despite political fluctuations and diplomatic challenges, the strategic partnership dialogue between the U.S. and the EU remains unwavering and firm. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and official EU representatives have not confirmed reports of any crises or “deterioration” in cooperation. Instead, they stressed the importance of maintaining unity in the global fight against sanctions circumvention and Russia’s destructive, disruptive actions. According to diplomats, the effectiveness and enforcement of sanctions packages depend not only on political will but also on close coordination among key foreign policy actors. Overall, Ukrainian experts and officials highlight that the popular narratives about a “collapse” of cooperation are most likely manipulations and misinformation driven by internal and external political challenges. They emphasize the importance of maintaining stability in diplomatic relations and actively call for accurate and reliable information dissemination, as these processes significantly influence international support for Ukraine, as well as its diplomatic bargaining power and ability to defend its interests.