Moscow (CNN)The European Union has delivered a stern warning to the US over a plan
to impose new sanctions on Russia, opening up the prospect of a rift between the two
allies over how to deal with Moscow's foreign interventions.
EU President Jean-Claude Juncker said the bloc would act "within days" if it does not
receive reassurances on the potential impact of new sanctions on European interests.
Russia also reacted angrily, saying the sanctions bill passed by the US House of Representatives
on Tuesday risked worsening the already poor relations between the two countries.
The bill, drawn up largely in response to Moscow's alleged meddling in the 2016 US
election, calls for new measures against Russia, North Korea and Iran. It also limits
any effort by the White House to weaken such penalties.
Russia sanctions: What you need to know
Russia sanctions: What you need to know
The EU has previously coordinated with the US over sanctions in response to Russia'
s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. But it fears the latest measures could hit companies
that are involved in the financing of a controversial new pipeline, Nord Stream 2,
that would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany.
Juncker said the bill could have "unintended unilateral effects" on the EU's energy
security. "This is why the Commission concluded today that if our concerns are not
taken into account sufficiently, we stand ready to act appropriately within a matt
er of days," Juncker said. "America first cannot mean that Europe's interests come last."
Germany, which strongly backs the new pipeline, said it was concerned over the sanctions.
It would be "unacceptable for the United States to use possible sanctions as
an instrument to serve the interests of US industry policies," Foreign Ministry spokesman
Martin Sch?fer said Wednesday.
Russian leaders lash out at US sanctions
Russian leaders lash out at US sanctions 01:29
France called the US bill "unlawful" due to its "extraterritorial reach," saying it
could impact Europeans if enacted. "We have challenged similar texts in the past,"
the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "To protect ourselves against the extraterritorial
effects of US legislation, we will have to work on adjusting our French
and European laws."
If the bill clears a vote in the US Senate, it then heads to the desk of US Preside
nt Donald Trump. It is not clear if that will happen before Congress breaks for summer
recess at the end of the month.
Trump has not indicated whether he will sign the bill, which also gives Congress a
way to block any easing of new sanctions against Russia, North Korea and Iran, as well
as older ones against Russia.
The House action came hours after Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law and senior
adviser, was interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee about the 2016 campaign
and allegations that the Trump campaign coordinated with Russian officials to
help defeat his opponent, Hillary Clinton.
Trump's presidency has been dogged by questions his campaign's ties with Russia and
his pre-election promises to improve relations with Moscow. The Trump administration
and the Russian government have consistently denied collusion.
READ: Does US North Korea Sanctions bill risk China relationship?
Anger in Moscow
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned that "the authors and sponsor
s of this legislation are taking a serious step towards the destruction of prospect
s for normalizing relations with Russia," according to state news agency Tass.
Ryabkov said the plan "does not fit the framework of common sense" but insisted Russia
was "not succumbing to emotions" in its response.
Sanctions won't get the job done
Sanctions won't get the job done
"We will work to find ways to move forward, persistently, consistently looking for
ways of searching for compromise on issues, which are significant for Russia and, I
think, for the US," he said.
The Kremlin said the proposed sanctions bill was "sad news in terms of Russia-US relations"
and for the "prospects of their development."
"This is no less disappointing from the point of view of international law and international
trade relations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. But he added that
Moscow would wait to form a full opinion until the draft becomes law.
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said his country would respond to the US new sanctions,
according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.
"The US is continuing hostility towards Iran and Iran will definitely respond to US
sanctions," Rouhani reportedly said during a cabinet meeting Wednesday. He did not
say how Tehran would respond.
EU frustration
The European Union expressed frustration that it had not been consulted over the new
proposals. "New sanctions should always be coordinated between allies," EU President
Jean-Claude Juncker said in a statement.
The EU and the US imposed coordinated sanctions in 2014 over Russia's annexation of
Crimea from Ukraine. President Barack Obama imposed further sanctions in late 2016
over alleged interference in the 2016 US election. Sanctions were also imposed und
er the 2012 Magnitsky Act, which targets Russians whom the US considers human right
s abusers.
The latest set of sanctions against Russia are intended to penalize its alleged election
meddling, as well as its human rights violations, annexation of Crimea and military
operations in eastern Ukraine.
The White House has been sending mixed messages about whether it will support the bill,
which represents a challenge to the President's authority.
"While the President supports tough sanctions on North Korea, Iran and Russia, the
White House is reviewing the House legislation and awaits a final legislative package
for the President's desk," White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday.
Magnitsky lawyer: Will 'fight for justice' despite risk to life
Magnitsky lawyer: Will 'fight for justice' despite risk to life
However, aides and members of Congress from both parties say that if Trump does dec
ide to veto it, there will be sufficient votes to override the veto and enact the bill into law.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly ridiculed the sanctions and called
on countries, particularly the United States, to drop them.
Moscow rejects claims it interfered in the US election process, insists its annexation
of Crimea was legal and denies direct involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.