DarwelShots/Shutterstock The US has conditioned "major" economic measures against Russia on Europe stepping up its own game. The pressure is prompting Europe to act but also gives Washington room to dither and delay.Absent economic pressure, Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy are raising costs. Save for later Print Download Share LinkedIn Twitter The US is putting the onus of sanctioning Russia’s energy trade on European allies and pressuring them to cut all energy ties. The pressure comes as US President Donald Trump has let self-imposed deadlines pass without taking economic action against the Kremlin. Some US demands, particularly for EU tariffs on India and China over their purchases of Russian energy, are deemed impossible. Critics see an attempt by Trump to deflect blame and avoid taking action against Russia. Still, the pressure campaign could see the EU speed up plans to phase out Russian energy imports, creating a supply gap the US is keen to fill. With Western sanctions in limbo, Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are proving more effective.
