European Businesses Association Opposes US Sanctions Against Russia

© Sputnik / Alexey Vitvitsky / Go to the mediabankReflection of the EU flag in a window of a building in Brussels. (File)
Reflection of the EU flag in a window of a building in Brussels. (File) - Sputnik International
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The Association of European Businesses said Thursday it opposes US unilateral economic sanctions and called on the European Union, the United States and Russia to leave business out of politics.

US President Donald Trump says something to reporters as he departs for travel to Poland and the upcoming G-20 summit in Germany, from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, US, July 5, 2017. - Sputnik International
What's Behind Trump Lambasting the Anti-Russian Sanctions Law He Signed?
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed into law a new bill imposing additional sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea. Earlier, the bill was overwhelmingly approved by Senate and the House of Representatives.

The sanctions target Russia's defense, intelligence, mining, shipping and railway industries and restricts dealings with Russian banks and energy companies. The bill also stressed that the United States would continue to oppose the construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. The law also limits the US president's ability to ease any sanctions on Russia by requiring Congressional approval to lift any restrictions.

"The Association of European Businesses expresses its disagreement over US economic sanctions. The Association is convinced that business is one of the most important connecting links between states and people, and the principle of free trade should not be restricted by such measures," the AEB said in a statement.

The bill has been criticized by the European Union, particularly due to the concerns that the new sanctions will impact its economic interests, especially its energy cooperation with Russia. France and Germany have spoken out against the bill as it affects European industries while advancing US commercial interests.

"The Association calls on the Heads of States and Governments of the EU, the USA and Russia to define a new policy, leaving business out of politics and finding a common, mutually acceptable, solution in the spirit of peace and conciliation," the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry and the Moscow City International Business Center, back, in Moscow. (File) - Sputnik International
US Sanctions Law Has Not Influenced US Business in Russia Yet – AmCham
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry described the new sanctions as "absolutely illegitimate" and responded with its countermeasures, suspending the use of all US Embassy warehouses and its compound in Moscow. Russia also mandated that the US cut the size of its diplomatic staff in Russia by 755 people by September 1.

In April, Gazprom's subsidiary Nord Stream 2 AG signed a deal with French Engie, UK’s Royal Dutch Shell, Austria’s OMV and Germany's Uniper and Wintershall, which agreed to provide part of long-term financing of the gas pipeline project, estimated at 9.5 billion euros ($10.6 billion).

The Nord Stream 2 project presumes the construction of two gas pipelines with a combined annual capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas. The new pipeline is planned to be laid along the existing Nord Stream pipeline route from the Russian coast through the Baltic Sea, on to a hub in Germany.

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