Self-Interest Works Up Washington's Appetite for Sanctions

Despite knowing that Kiev has failed to implement the Minsk Agreements, the US continues to accuse Russia of not fulfilling the conditions it has set for lifting sanctions because it remains under the influence of factions which stand to gain from prolonging the countries' standoff, wrote German Economic News (DWN) on Wednesday.

"The US government requires the EU to extend sanctions against Russia, even when President Obama is trying to normalize relations with Russia at the end of his term of office."

At the forefront of efforts to prolong sanctions are NATO officials and the intelligence services, as well as influential neocons in Washington, who consider it in their interest, remarks the newspaper. By trying to penalize Russia's economy for having interests in Eastern Europe, they hope to promote US interests in the region.

"This fact (the conflict of interests) makes a dialogue between the two countries about Ukraine very difficult."

"Obama's room for maneuver is minimal, because he infuriated the hawks when he went against their will to cooperate with the Russians on the Syrian issue."

"However, the government in Washington is losing power every day because it is coming to the end of its term, and strong players in the defense, energy and technology lobby are already exploring who will continue to dance to their tune and lead the business of government."

The newspaper reminded readers of US Vice-President Joe Biden's personal business interests in Ukraine, which contrast with his recent criticism of corruption there. In spring 2014, his son Hunter Biden was appointed to the board of Burisma Holdings, Ukraine's largest private gas producer, to head its legal department.

In addition to Biden, David Leiter, a former Senate chief of staff to Secretary of State John Kerry, has worked as a lobbyist for Burisma since May 2014.

Within the NATO alliance, Lithuania and Poland in particular are pushing for the continuation of sanctions, writes DWN.

"The hardliners in Washington can depend on a close ally: EU President Donald Tusk is an enemy of Russia and can put into practice the suggestions from his homeland."

'The USA wants to force Europe into new sanctions against Russia' — the article published in DWN.

​"He has pushed the issue of sanctions into such a tight program at the next EU summit, that more than a cursory debate is not possible," despite the wishes of other EU members.

The leaders of the EU are slated to discuss the possibility of continuing sanctions against Russia at a summit this week, following discussions last week in which the Italian government requested further deliberation of the matter, rather than their automatic prolongation. 

The sanctions which are currently in place against some Russian companies and individuals were extended in July 2015, and will run out on January 31, 2016 unless prolonged.