The threat of disintegration of transatlantic unity in the fight against circumvention of Russia’s sanctions raises questions about the effectiveness of global measures – this is what reputable German media outlets report, citing internal documents from European diplomatic bodies
Recent events further deepen the crisis in cooperation between the US and the EU in the area of sanctions evasion, which has become one of the most complex issues in international politics over the past few months, increasingly undermining joint efforts to curb Moscow’s aggression. According to a comprehensive internal report from the German Federal Foreign Office, published by media outlets such as Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, and WDR, it is stated that during the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting held on May 20 in Brussels, European sanctions policy leader and diplomat David O’Sullivan expressed regret over the complete collapse of transatlantic coordination on Russia’s sanctions evasion. He noted that since then, the loss of joint informational and propaganda efforts between the EU and the US has become an inevitable consequence. This means that there is currently no unified front in fighting over the loopholes created by international bypass routes, and the joint tandem in this sphere effectively no longer exists. The situation is even more dire within the G7 framework. Contacts and efforts of this group, which last year played a key role in implementing sanctions, also seem to have lost momentum. As a result, it remains unclear how the EU and the US plan to coordinate new packages of economic restrictions against Russia in the future. Especially considering that experts warn of possible scenarios—including the lifting of restrictions during Donald Trump’s presidency, who, according to open sources, has a significant interest in resuming business dealings with the Kremlin, as confirmed by his recent statements. The rift in the transatlantic coalition also raises concerns among political circles in the European Parliament. Green Party member Sergiy Lahodinsky warns that the weakening or even collapse of cooperation in fighting sanctions circumvention would significantly worsen regional security. He believes that the US, which last year was the driving force behind the sanctions regime, might pursue a policy of easing restrictions—possibly driven by Trump’s personal interest in establishing closer economic ties with Moscow—thereby threatening to dismantle the decades-old global sanctions regime. On the other hand, some see a silver lining in the restrained application of trade sanctions against Russia. According to Brussels officials, these restrictions are already beginning to show signs of effectiveness: the Russian economy is experiencing negative impacts that are quickly reflected in diminished exports of military-grade goods through third countries. Armenia, Serbia, Uzbekistan, and India have become transit hubs for bypassing sanctions. However, there are issues here as well: exports through Kazakhstan, the UAE, and Turkey have decreased but not stopped entirely. At the same time, China and Hong Kong remain primary transit points for illegal Russian exports, as internal data confirms. According to the internal report, UN officials and US diplomatic personnel in Brussels emphasized that approximately 80% of sanctions evasion is controlled by China, which, through persistent denial, seeks to stay outside the restrictions and avoid responsibility. Meanwhile, diplomatic sources recommend that the EU tighten pressure on companies operating in illegal sectors and at ports actively used by these vessels—particularly in Turkey, India, and Malaysia. Regarding future steps, the internal document opens the way for a new phase of sanctions policy, which could shift focus toward Russia’s energy and banking sectors. However, Hungary strongly opposes these measures, once again refusing to support new restrictions, expressing discontent and adding diplomatic complexity. From Washington’s perspective, prospects for cooperation do not look optimistic. Recent statements indicate that on May 25, US President Donald Trump, commenting on the escalation of Russian shelling in Ukraine, hinted at the possibility of introducing new sanctions against Russia. Simultaneously, representatives of European countries, including Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, emphasize that the international community must increase pressure on Vladimir Putin to initiate serious negotiations and cease hostilities in Ukraine. However, such agreements seem unlikely in the near future due to rapid political shifts and conflicting interests among key players involved in this crisis.