WASHINGTON, April 26 – Teh United states is prepared to impose further sanctions on Russia in an effort to compel a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, but is first seeking a coordinated increase in pressure from European allies, according to senior U.S. officials.
The Biden governance believes a unified and intensified sanctions regime is crucial to limiting Russia’s ability to finance and sustain its war effort. While Washington has already levied a sweeping array of economic penalties,officials say maximizing the impact requires broader participation and stricter enforcement from European nations,some of whom are more reliant on Russian energy supplies. This approach reflects a strategic calculation that maximizing economic pain on Moscow necessitates a transatlantic consensus.
The push for greater European alignment comes as Ukraine continues to plead for increased military and financial assistance from its Western partners. The conflict, now in its third year, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and triggered a major humanitarian crisis, displacing millions of ukrainians. The U.S. and its allies have provided billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, but officials acknowledge that a lasting resolution hinges on curtailing Russia’s capacity to wage war.
“We are constantly evaluating new sanctions authorities and targets,” a senior administration official told Reuters. ”But the most effective path forward is one where we are acting in lockstep with our allies. That multiplies the effect.”
Discussions with European counterparts are focused on closing loopholes in existing sanctions, targeting key sectors of the Russian economy – including energy, finance, and technology – and disrupting Russia’s access to critical goods and services. Some European officials have expressed concerns about the potential economic fallout from stricter measures, particularly regarding energy supplies.
The U.S. is working to address these concerns by exploring choice energy sources and providing economic support to mitigate the impact of sanctions. The administration maintains that the long-term costs of allowing Russia to continue its aggression in Ukraine far outweigh the short-term economic challenges.
