About: US sanctions
US threat looms over foreign firms trading with Cuba
US President Donald Trump's administration is brandishing the threat of sanctions against foreign companies "trafficking" with Cuba, a move hitherto mothballed by Washington so as not to offend allies.
Nord Stream 2 in dire straits after French U-turn
France plans to back an EU proposal to regulate Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline, its foreign ministry said on Thursday (7 February), potentially threatening its completion and dealing a blow to Germany which has been trying to garner support for the project.
Europeans open new trade channel to Iran, bypassing US sanctions
Britain, France and Germany on Thursday (31 January) launched a trade mechanism to bypass US sanctions on Iran, drawing praise from Tehran – and a warning from Washington.
EU’s Iran payments vehicle ready – but stuck
A payment mechanism the EU hopes will save the Iran nuclear deal by bypassing US sanctions is ready, diplomats said Monday (28 January), but is held up by disagreements among European countries.
Azov Sea blaze illustrates that US sanctions work
Two ships ablaze in the Black Sea region, leaving at least 10 crew members dead, caught fire while transferring fuel mid-sea after one vessel was barred from using its usual port in southern Russia due to US sanctions risk, two sources told Reuters.
US discourages foreign companies from doing business in Cuba
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned foreign businesses Wednesday (16 January) to steer clear of formerly private properties seized by Cuba -- and said he was considering allowing lawsuits over such assets in US courts.
Trump threatens Turkey with economic devastation if it attacks Syrian Kurd militia
President Donald Trump threatened Turkey with economic devastation if it attacks a US-allied Kurdish militia in Syria, weakening Turkey's currency and prompting sharp criticism from Ankara on Monday (13 January).
US threatens EU companies with sanctions over Nord Steam 2, Turkish Stream
A transatlantic tiff over Europe’s natural gas supply came to the boil on Sunday (13 January), as Donald Trump’s ambassador to Germany threatened firms involved in a pipeline from Russia with sanctions. At stake is a mixture of economic and security interests...
Russia ditches dollar, opts for euro and yuan
A report by the Bank of Russia published late on Wednesday (9 January) reveals that the country dumped $101 in US holdings from its reserves, shifting into euros and yuan last spring amid a new round of US sanctions.
Spain’s premier breaks ice in Cuba after three decades
Spanish premier Pedro Sánchez has embarked on the first official bilateral visit by a Spanish leader to Cuba in 32 years on 22-23 November, at a time when the Communist-run island is looking towards Europe as its ties with the United States fester.
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.