**Europe Can’t Afford to Guess on Sanctions Against Russia**
The return of Donald Trump as US President has sparked intense debate about his plans for Ukraine and the ongoing conflict with Russia. One key issue is how he will approach sanctions against Russia, and what this might mean for Europe’s role in supporting Ukraine.
Trump has a history of using sanctions aggressively, particularly during his first presidency when he imposed severe penalties on Iran. He doubled down on sanctions in his “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran, which suggests that he may be willing to use similar tactics against Russia.
However, it’s uncertain whether Trump will actually roll back sanctions on Russia or lift them altogether. His love of deals and desire to appear tough mean that he may choose to maintain the current sanctions regime, particularly if it allows him to look strong in negotiations with the Kremlin.
**A New Approach Needed**
Regardless of what Trump decides, Europe must be prepared to take a more active role in enforcing sanctions against Russia. The EU has shown a commitment to maintaining maximum pressure on Russia since February 2022, and this resolve is likely to continue under the new Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.
However, with the US potentially becoming an unreliable partner, Europe needs to adopt a far more muscular approach to its application of sanctions. This will require:
* Accelerating domestic enforcement efforts
* Swiftly enacting and enforcing the sanctions criminalization directive
* Engaging in diplomatic dialogue with third countries while also penalizing those that choose to fund and resource Russia’s military
* Adopting a more proactive, intelligence-led mindset among those ensuring sanctions effectiveness
**Europe Must Show Its Strength**
With three years of experience applying sanctions, Europe can no longer afford to jog behind the US. The time has come for Brussels and London to show what they’ve learned from their experience, particularly if they want to avoid betraying the Ukrainian people at a time when they need support more than ever.
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, as Trump returns to power, it’s essential that Europe takes a proactive approach to enforcing sanctions against Russia. This will require a coordinated effort among European nations and a willingness to adopt new strategies and approaches. The long-suffering citizens of Ukraine deserve nothing less.
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