• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

EU warns US it may respond swiftly to counter new sanctions on Russia

Xando

Member
Then Europe shouldn't have expanded the EU and NATO ever eastward without taking on the explicit commitment to protect places like Ukraine and other former Societ bloc nations. Increased sanctions have been on the table since the election took place in November and it's not like they couldn't assign a liaison to Congress in order to find out EXACTLY what they were going to pass.

This is a chickenshit move for a continent that's busy tooting its own horn about banning petrol vehicles.

Ukraine is neither part of the EU nor part of NATO(Both have common defense clauses).
 
Name one. Russia is a politically very stable country and has a location advantage over all competitors.

There are no general problems with the sanctions themselves. The problem is that Trump doesn't communicate with EU on these things, breaking the frontline to Russia.

Putin has truly won, he successfully disrupted the alliance between the EU and USA on all levels.

This wasn't Trump who, as a Russian stooge, would likely get rid of the sanctions.
 

avaya

Member
Name one. Russia is a politically very stable country and has a location advantage over all competitors.

There are no general problems with the sanctions themselves. The problem is that Trump doesn't communicate with EU on these things, breaking the frontline to Russia.

Putin has truly won, he successfully disrupted the alliance between the EU and USA on all levels.

NUCLEAR.

Jesus Christ.
 

slit

Member
Bad look EU.

I actually understand the EU's perspective somewhat but unfortunately it should not have bearing on decisions made in how the U.S. retaliates as a result of Russian espionage. I wouldn't expect any European country to allow it either.
 

Funky Papa

FUNK-Y-PPA-4
Then Europe shouldn't have expanded the EU and NATO ever eastward without taking on the explicit commitment to protect places like Ukraine and other former Societ bloc nations. Increased sanctions have been on the table since the election took place in November and it's not like they couldn't assign a liaison to Congress in order to find out EXACTLY what they were going to pass.

This is a chickenshit move for a continent that's busy tooting its own horn about banning petrol vehicles.
The EU is explicitly committed to protect its members through Article 42(7) of the Treaty of Lisbon. This includes former soviet states such as Poland and the Baltics.

Ukraine, however, is not part of the EU nor the NATO.

Also, NATO expansion was not decided by the EU.
 
Name one. Russia is a politically very stable country and has a location advantage over all competitors.

There are no general problems with the sanctions themselves. The problem is that Trump doesn't communicate with EU on these things, breaking the frontline to Russia.

Putin has truly won, he successfully disrupted the alliance between the EU and USA on all levels.

The thing is, this was not Trump. Trump actually does not want this. This was Congress that started this. And if Trump chooses to veto, it will most likely be overruled.

Why doesn't the EU want to pay 100% more and buy gas from the US?!

I know! The EU is so cheap.
 
So the only reason Brussels cares about Ukraine is because there's a pipeline there. It doesn't care about sanctions against the country that invaded the Ukraine, killed a bunch of its people then shot down a passenger plane full of Europeans.

What a world.
Welcome to the energy market in eu..
 

Lesath

Member
It's always easy playing the tough man if there is an entire ocean between oneself and the other guy.
Not even talking about the obvious business interests.

Europe has all rights to be pissed about the USA. Business is the base for all further diplomacy, it doesn't surprise GAF doesn't get it.

An entire ocean? Pretty sure the only thing separating us and Russian interests are the gates to the White House, and on the weekends, a general distaste for the state of Florida.
 

Funky Papa

FUNK-Y-PPA-4
EU: Hey, this stuff is complicated. We already sacrificed a sizeable amount of our exports and we are dependant on Russian energy. We need to devise a careful plan for the next round of sanctions if we want to hurt Putin without accidentally damaging ourselves. We really shouldn't rush things. Let's coordinate.

America: LEEEEEROY JENKINS!!!

EU: fuck

Random American Gaffer: Man, those europeans are such a bunch of pussies.
 

Dopus

Banned
EU: "Hey, this stuff is complicated. We already sacrificed a sizeable amount of our exports and we are dependant on Russian energy. We need to devise a careful plan for the next round of sanctions if we want to hurt Putin without accidentally damaging ourselves".

America: LEEEEEROY JENKINS

EU: fuck

Random American Gaffer: Man, those europeans are such a bunch of pussies.

Basically.
 

Darklor01

Might need to stop sniffing glue
I find it incredible that having this complete and utter gutter fire for a President will likely eventually lead to every country out there that even slightly held America in a positive regard will be completely ruined. This is not even a full year of a term. This has to be the man's goal. I think his goal is to break down the U.S. entirely to the point where it is primed to be unrecoverable.
 

Xando

Member
I'm more interested in how the EU plans to "counter" this.

Just like they would counter steel tariffs.

With counter tariffs(In the steel case they are planning to put tariffs on goods from middle america such as whiskey IIRC).

EU: Hey, this stuff is complicated. We already sacrificed a sizeable amount of our exports and we are dependant on Russian energy. We need to devise a careful plan for the next round of sanctions if we want to hurt Putin without accidentally damaging ourselves. We really shouldn't rush things. Let's coordinate.

America: LEEEEEROY JENKINS!!!

EU: fuck

Random American Gaffer: Man, those europeans are such a bunch of pussies.

You forgot to mention that europeans should buy american oil and gas for double the price.
 
No shit, it's a ploy from U.S congress to intercept the market for its (American companies) benefit. Are ordinary Americans really this naive to think it's about getting back at Russia? They're just taking up an opportunity for something they've wanted for a long time, the public image of "getting back at Russia" is a nice bonus.

Even though this is not from Trump, it will aid his administration's attitude of disdain and attempt of weakening the EU regardless.

The EU loses completely while the U.S gains despite this being the U.S' own fucking mess to begin with.

Macron said it earlier today too that these sanctions are an overextension.
 
I find it incredible that having this complete and utter gutter fire for a President will likely eventually lead to every country out there that even slightly held America in a positive regard will be completely ruined. This is not even a full year of a term. This has to be the man's goal. I think his goal is to break down the U.S. entirely to the point where it is primed to be unrecoverable.

Actually, Trump is against this.

So after promoting Brexit, Trump will - come to the aid of the European Union?

This whole planet is fucked in the head.

I know it's crazy.
 
EU: Hey, this stuff is complicated. We already sacrificed a sizeable amount of our exports and we are dependant on Russian energy. We need to devise a careful plan for the next round of sanctions if we want to hurt Putin without accidentally damaging ourselves. We really shouldn't rush things. Let's coordinate.

America: LEEEEEROY JENKINS!!!

EU: fuck

Random American Gaffer: Man, those europeans are such a bunch of pussies.

This is such a great simplification of a messy situation. I love it.
 

meppi

Member
And the old farts at work laughed at me when I told them that I didn't want a central heating system not warm water system in my now house that works on either gas or petrol. Since I don't want to depend on Russia or the middle east...
Instead I'm going with a heat pump on a combination of solar panels and electricity from a 100% clean energy company.
 

Lesath

Member
We have essentially the legislative and executive branches of our government controlled by a singular party, who has a vested interest in keeping their executive power, irrespective of any potential collusion between Trump and Russia.

That the legislative branch managed to propose these new sanctions is a wonder in itself, and I'm certain that the Democrats had to sacrifice much to even put it on the table. So to those more politically savvy, and those lambasting the alternatives proposed here for Europe, I have to ask, what is the real alternative for the United States?
 

Irminsul

Member
EU: Hey, this stuff is complicated. We already sacrificed a sizeable amount of our exports and we are dependant on Russian energy. We need to devise a careful plan for the next round of sanctions if we want to hurt Putin without accidentally damaging ourselves. We really shouldn't rush things. Let's coordinate.

America: LEEEEEROY JENKINS!!!

EU: fuck

Random American Gaffer: Man, those europeans are such a bunch of pussies.
Also, with all this "the President can't just go ahead and withdraw sanctions" stuff in it somewhat looks like Congress wants to externalise a domestic conflict. Of course the EU isn't really amused by this.
 

Dadasch

Member
EU: Hey, this stuff is complicated. We already sacrificed a sizeable amount of our exports and we are dependant on Russian energy. We need to devise a careful plan for the next round of sanctions if we want to hurt Putin without accidentally damaging ourselves. We really shouldn't rush things. Let's coordinate.

America: LEEEEEROY JENKINS!!!

EU: fuck

Random American Gaffer: Man, those europeans are such a bunch of pussies.

Exactly.
I think we have to thank Trump for this. I don't even remember the last time EU firmly declined a US demand (let's face it, they demand it).

Trump has some superpowers.
 

Funky Papa

FUNK-Y-PPA-4
Oh fuck off, EU.

Hopefully we ignore this completely. Nobody should be protecting Russia right now.

You are asking the EU (which has already made some significant sacrifices to punish Putin's regime) to literally endanger itself and the economy of its member states just to get back at Russia.

It's nice to want things. But it turns out that the EU is concerned about its own safety, and energy is the one thing that Russia can use to screw with the Union barring another swarm of little green men, so maybe this isn't such a fantastic idea.
 
There are other alternatives for gas like Algeria and Nigeria. Portugal and Spain already get their supply from them.
I would expect that after Crimea the rest of Europe to take a serious look at their energy dependency from Russia.
 

oti

Banned
Willing the criticize the US until we ask them to stand by us after Russia compromises our elections.

Come on Europe.

I am sure Russian trolls are gearing up their online anti american posts to help push this new divide.

¿?
 
While understanding where they are coming from at what point do we just bend the knee. It would be great and beneficial to the entire planet if everyone could work together for resources but that's not the case.
 

Xando

Member
Most of us actually didn't. And I'm all ears for hearing of better ways to leash the American president and his administration from catering to Russian interests.

So because your system is broken and vulnerable to external interference the EU should sacrifice it's entire economy?
 
Top Bottom