High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini says the EU is prepared for a ”more deal-oriented relationship” with the United States after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office, but EU sanctions against Russia will be linked to peace implementation in eastern Ukraine, according to The Wall Street Journal.
”The EU is set to extend sanctions against Russia for the next six months over the Ukraine crisis,” The Wall Street Journal wrote on December 14, citing Mogherini.
She also said that whatever decisions the Trump administration makes on U.S. sanctions on Russia, the bloc would continue to link economic restrictions to progress in implementing the Minsk peace agreements between Moscow and Kyiv.
That decision is expected on Monday, December 19, officials say.
”So here again, European decisions are not linked to political decisions in Washington,” she said.
Yet, she said, the deal-oriented approach won`t prevent cooperation on a broad range of issues. Indeed, she said a more independent EU might line up with Russia against any efforts on the Trump administration`s part to scuttle the Iran accord, shake up Middle East policy, or reduce the role of the United Nations.
”In a transactional manner…case by case, you will find issues where I wouldn`t be surprised to see the Europeans and the Russians on the same side – Iran deal, Middle East peace process, possibly the role of the U.N.”
