About: US sanctions
US belittles EU’s ‘special purpose vehicle’ as companies flee Iran
The United States is not too concerned by Europe's idea for a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to get around US sanctions with Iran as companies are already withdrawing from the country in droves, the senior official for financial intelligence said.
France expels Iranian diplomat over planned terrorist attack
France has expelled an Iranian diplomat in response to a failed plot to carry out a bomb attack at a rally near Paris organised by an exiled Iranian opposition group, diplomatic and security sources say.
EU mechanism for Iran trade to be symbolically ready on 4 November
A new European Union mechanism to facilitate payments for Iranian exports should be legally in place by 4 November, when the next phase of US sanctions hit, but will not be operational until early next year, three diplomats said.
Religious leaders raise their flags at Astana gathering
Kazakhstan got praise today (10 October) for hosting for the sixth time the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which traditionally issues messages of peace, mutual respect and tolerance. A few religious leaders however defended their countries controversial policies.
Russian oil firm seeks payments in euros amid US sanction threat
Russian oil producer Surgutneftegaz is pushing buyers to agree to pay for oil in euros instead of dollars if the need arises, apparently as insurance against possible tougher US sanctions, traders who deal with the firm told Reuters.
Air France, British Airways to end flights to Tehran
Air France and British Airways announced Thursday (23 August) that they will halt flights to Tehran next month, citing low profitability as the US reimposes sanctions on Iran.
Defying US sanctions, EU unveils €18 million aid package for Iran
The European Commission approved an €18 million support package to Iran on Thursday (23 August) sending an important signal both to Teheran and Washington that Brussels will not back on its efforts to preserve the nuclear deal despite US sanctions.
Kremlin accuses Trump of trying to bully Europe into buying US LNG
The Kremlin yesterday (12 July) rejected US President Donald Trump's description of Germany as a "captive" of Russia due to its energy reliance, saying his statement was part of a US campaign to bully Europe into buying American energy supplies.
Empower a German ‘Iran Bank’ to save Iran’s nuclear deal
The prospect of securing major private-sector investments could offer Iran an incentive to uphold its side of the nuclear agreement despite Washington’s withdrawal. Laura von Daniels argues that a private German Iran Bank could do the trick. Dr. Laura von...
EU energy chief courts Iran after Trump’s withdrawal from nuclear deal
Europe's energy and climate chief sought to reassure Iran's top ministers on Saturday (19 May) that the European Union wants to keep trade open despite the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal.
Russia sanctions should be phased out if Ukraine ceasefire holds: Germany’s Gabriel
European sanctions imposed on Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis should be phased out gradually if an internationally agreed ceasefire deal was implemented, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said yesterday (11 September). The conflict between Ukrainian forces and...
Putin names ‘pragmatic’ ambassador to the US, blacklisted by the EU
Russian President Vladimir Putin has named Vladimir Antonov as Russia’s next ambassador to Washington, the Kremlin announced yesterday (21 August). Antonov is a former defence official who is subject to EU sanctions over his role in the conflict in Ukraine.
Europe keeps its distance from growing US-Russia diplomatic spat
The European Union considers the ongoing diplomatic dispute between Moscow and Washington a “bilateral issue” and is keeping its distance, a European Commission Spokesperson told EURACTIV.com.
US sanctions and Nord Stream 2: Every dog has its day?
The US’ new Russia sanctions only added fuel to the EU’s divisions over how to deal with Russian energy, write Aleksandra Gawlikowska-Fyk, Bartosz Wiśniewski.
Trump signs Russia sanctions bill into law
US President Donald Trump has signed into law new sanctions against Russia that were passed overwhelmingly by Congress last week and that run counter to his desire to improve relations with Moscow.
US will ‘work closely’ with its allies after new sanctions against Moscow
The US stressed on Saturday (29 July) that it would “work closely with our friends and allies” after US lawmakers passed sanctions on Russia that upset some European nations, fearful that it could hit their businesses.
US House votes new sanctions on Russia, Iran, North Korea
The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday (25 July) to impose tough new sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia, a move that will antagonise the Kremlin as well as European nations fearing economic ramifications.
Ignoring Trump, France’s Total signs major Iran gas deal
French energy giant Total was set to defy US pressure today (3 July), signing a multi-billion-dollar gas deal with Iran, the first by a European firm in more than a decade.
Poroshenko to meet Trump before US president sees Putin
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will meet US counterpart Donald Trump in Washington Tuesday (20 June) for talks on security, political and economic issues, Poroshenko's office said.
New US sanctions threaten EU firms involved in Nord Stream 2
The US Senate voted nearly unanimously on Thursday (15 June) for legislation to impose new sanctions on Russia and force President Donald Trump to get Congress' approval before easing any existing sanctions on Russia.
EU official says no sign Trump plans to ease Russia sanctions
A senior European Union official said yesterday (4 April) he had seen no sign that US President Donald Trump planned to lift sanctions on Russia over its activities in Ukraine, and warned that American sanctions could destabilise some European energy markets.
Trump son-in-law met executives of sanctioned Russian bank, will testify
A Russian bank under Western economic sanctions over Russia's incursion into Ukraine disclosed on yesterday (27 March) that its executives had met Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a top White House adviser, in December.
Fears grow in EU that Trump is about to lift sanctions against Russia
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is likely to speak with Donald Trump tomorrow (28 January), a source said today (27 January), as rumours grow that the US president will lift the sanctions against Russia imposed over its intervention in Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.