Biden lands in Europe in middle of dispute over Russian energy sanctions
Send a link to a friend
[March 24, 2022]
By Jarrett Renshaw and Steve Holland
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe
Biden landed in Brussels on Wednesday in the middle of a dispute with
European allies over whether to impose further energy sanctions on
Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia supplies about 40% of the natural gas Europe uses, making it
difficult for several European nations to ban Russian energy imports as
the United States has.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia will seek
payment in roubles for gas sales to "unfriendly" countries, a move that
sent European gas prices soaring on concerns it would exacerbate the
region's energy crunch.
Moscow's list of unfriendly countries corresponds to those that imposed
sanctions and include the United States, European Union members, Britain
and Japan, among others.
Reducing Europe's reliance on Russian energy has been a "substantial"
topic and the subject of "intense back and forth" in recent days, White
House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on an Air
Force One flight to Brussels.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Mar/24/images/ads/current/stclara_lda_SPONSOR_090519.png)
Sullivan said Biden would have some news to announce on the topic on
Friday with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on
Friday.
On Thursday, Biden will attend an emergency NATO summit, meet with G7
leaders and address the 27 leaders of the European Union at a session of
the European Council.
Biden will later visit Warsaw for consultations with Polish President
Andrzej Duda.
Sullivan said G7 leaders will also agree on Thursday to coordinate on
sanctions enforcement and plan to issue a statement.
A French presidency official noted that the European Union collectively
trades more with Russia than the United States does and is more
sensitive to sanctions against Russia.
"Americans have sanctioned Russian gas and oil, which is easier for them
since they are producers. We will see what President Biden proposes
tomorrow as extra effort," the official told Reuters.
Sullivan said Biden will announce a U.S. package of Russia-related
sanctions on political figures and oligarchs on Thursday.
Sources say some of the sanctions are expected to be targeted against
members of the Russian lower house of parliament, the Duma.
[to top of second column]
|
![](../images/032422PIX/news_t41.jpg)
U.S. President Joe Biden walks to board Marine One, before traveling
to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for the weekend, on the South Lawn of
the White House in Washington, U.S., March 18, 2022. REUTERS/Al
Drago/File Photo
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Mar/24/images/ads/current/humanesociety_sda022411.png) The leaders will also discuss China.
Biden had warned Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday not to
provide material support to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Sullivan said the United States has yet to see evidence of Beijing
sending aid to Moscow.
"But it's something we're watching every day," he said.
Western leaders have grown increasingly concerned that Putin will
use chemical weapons or otherwise escalate tactics four weeks into
an invasion where his troops have failed to capture a single major
Ukrainian city.
Leaving the White House on Wednesday, Biden said Russia's use of
chemical weapons in Ukraine is a "real threat."
Sullivan said Biden will coordinate on the next phase of military
assistance to Ukraine.
Sullivan also said Biden will discuss with allies in Brussels "how
to deal with the rhetoric and commentary on potential use of nuclear
weapons" by Russia. The United States has not changed its nuclear
posture, he said.
In recent days, Russia and Western governments have traded
accusations over the possibility of a chemical weapons attack in
Ukraine without producing evidence to back their concerns.
Biden has vowed not to engage in direct conflict with Russia but has
pledged the United States will defend all NATO territory. He has
ordered more U.S. troops to NATO's eastern flank to reassure edgy
allies.
During his visit to Poland, a NATO member, Biden will visit U.S.
troops and meet with experts involved in the humanitarian response
to helping hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who have fled their
country and those who remain.
(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw in Brussels, Steve Holland, Trevor
Hunnicutt and Doina Chiacu in Washington and John Irish in Paris;
Editing by Gerry Doyle, Heather Timmons and Jonathan Oatis)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Mar/24/images/ads/current/graue_preowned_031922.png) |