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Ukraine Dismisses Reported US-EU Sanctions Rift as “Big Exaggeration”

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Vlad Litnarovych
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Ukraine Dismisses Reported US-EU Sanctions Rift as “Big Exaggeration”
The flags of the USA and NATO hang on a building in Washington during the NATO summit on July 09, 2024, in Washington, United States. (Source: Getty Images)

A senior Ukrainian sanctions official pushed back on claims that transatlantic coordination on sanctions enforcement against Russia has collapsed, calling it a “big exaggeration” and reaffirming continued cooperation between the United States and Europe, according to Ukrainian sanctions adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk on May 27.

The statement came in response to a report published by Süddeutsche Zeitung on May 27, which cited an internal German Foreign Ministry document describing a supposed breakdown in US-EU coordination on sanctions evasion. According to the leaked report, EU sanctions chief David O’Sullivan said there is “no more outreach” between the two sides and that G7 efforts had “lost momentum.”

But Vlasiuk directly disputed that interpretation in a Facebook post later.

“Such a headline is a big exaggeration,” Vlasiuk wrote.

“I’ve met with US sanctions officials twice in the last three weeks during joint working meetings in Europe, where we discussed both sanctions evasion and strengthening enforcement.”

He acknowledged that the current political climate may have reduced the previous “impetus” behind coordination efforts but emphasized that communication remains robust. “Is it the same momentum as before? No, but that’s purely due to the political context. Has cooperation collapsed? Absolutely not,” he added.

Vlasiuk stressed that regular exchanges of information and strategy continue within the broader sanctions coalition, which includes the US, EU, UK, and other G7 nations.

“Everyone is roughly aware of each other’s plans,” he noted, adding that the US remains central to persuading Hungary not to block the EU’s upcoming 18th sanctions package against Moscow.

“Prepared US packages address the same shadow fleet and sanctions evasion issues that the EU is working on,” he said.

The original SZ article questioned the prospects for effective coordination of future transatlantic sanctions could be effectively coordinated, especially with the EU reportedly planning new restrictions targeting Russia’s energy and banking sectors.

While Washington’s level of engagement may fluctuate, Ukrainian officials maintain that the foundation of cooperation remains solid.

Earlier, US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham stated that they have already introduced a bill proposing new sanctions on Russia, including a 500% tariff on imported goods from countries that purchase Russian energy resources.

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