Why pushing for tough sanctions against Russia is easy for Washington
When it comes to sanctions against Russia, the US and the EU come from very different places. Two data sets help explain why it’s much easier for Washington to push for economic measures than for Europe.
Trade between the US and Russia grew strongly in March, even though Washington slapped sanctions on Moscow after its annexation of Crimea. US exports to Russia increased 9 percent from February compared to the same period last year, while imports from Russia grew 36 percent from February compared to last year, according to the US Commerce Department.
Meanwhile, EU imports from Russia contracted more than 9 percent during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, while EU exports to Moscow fell more than 10 percent compared to the first three months of 2013, according to Eurostat.
While these figures indicate that trade between the EU and Russia reacts more strongly to external influences than that between Russia and the US, they don't tell the whole story. Add to this that the EU is Russia's number one trading partner, but that Russia isn't even among Washington's top 15 trading partners and it becomes clear why Europe is much more hesitant about imposing tough economic sanctions than the US.
Nothing to lose
"The US has nothing to lose and the EU does, so it's not an equal situation," said David Marples, a Russia and Ukraine scholar at the University of Alberta about the different stances on sanctions.
http://www.dw.de/why-pushing-for-tough-sanctions-is-easy-for-washington/a-17651854