"The key to the sanctions mechanism against Russia is in the hands of Europe, not the United States", the French newspaper "Monde" wrote in an editorial, BTA reported.
With the acceleration of ceasefire talks in Ukraine, the future of Western sanctions against Vladimir Putin's regime is in question, the publication points out. Washington may decide to lift a number of restrictions, but it has very few levers to influence the Russian economy, explains the author of the article, Stephane Lauer.
One absence was striking in the list of tariffs announced on April 2 by the Donald Trump administration: unlike the most remote islands in Antarctica and the poorest countries, the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin was not included, the newspaper notes. "Le Monde".
Despite the White House's claim that Moscow is already subject to sanctions that "impede all significant trade", Russian exports to the United States amount to 3.2 billion euros, the French newspaper wrote, adding that this is more than 130 other countries in the world that will have to pay tariffs. Attacked Ukraine will also have to pay 10 percent tariffs.
This raises the question of the fate of Western sanctions against Russia, notes the newspaper "Le Monde". While Washington is pushing for a quick end to the fighting, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is the main negotiator for the ceasefire, said last month that sanctions would be eased immediately after the talks are concluded, without waiting for a peace agreement or a possible green light from Europe, the newspaper continues.
But although Europe was not invited to the negotiating table, its role could prove to be of paramount importance, believes "Monde". The US can lift some coercive measures, but it does not have many means to put pressure on the Russian economy - for geographical reasons, Russia is far more dependent on the EU than on the US, the publication comments.
Before the war began in 2022, trade relations between Moscow and Washington reached a value of only $ 35 billion, or 10 times less than trade between Russia and Europe, recalls "Monde".