The European Union is drawing up a contingency strategy to keep sanctions against Russia intact if the United States softens its position on Ukraine or strengthens ties with Moscow. This warning came from Kaya Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, during an interview with the Financial Times, as reported by UNN.
Kallas expressed growing concern that Washington may be reconsidering its support for Ukraine due to the challenges of negotiating with the Kremlin. “We see signs that they are considering whether they should leave Ukraine and not try to negotiate with the Russians, because it is difficult,” she remarked.
Should the United States shift towards rapprochement with the Russian dictatorship, the EU wants to ensure continued pressure through economic means. Kallas said a “plan B” is already being prepared in case Hungary decides to block the extension of current EU sanctions against Russia in July.
Despite these preparations, Kallas emphasised that the focus must remain on “plan A” — maintaining full unity among the EU’s twenty seven member states and continuing coordinated sanctions as the preferred path. “There is also a ‘plan B’, but we have to work on ‘plan A’. Because otherwise you will focus on ‘plan B’, and then it will happen,” she cautioned.
This news comes as French President Emmanuel Macron stated earlier this week that Western nations are expected to step up pressure on Russia within the next ten days to push for peace in Ukraine. However, he added a note of scepticism, admitting that progress largely hinges on the actions of the Russian dictatorship.
For now, the EU is holding firm. But concern is rising that political shifts in Washington, especially under figures sympathetic to Russian interests in Washington.
