The United States (US) Congress moved to isolate further Russia and Belarus these past two week, as the US Government also increased bilateral pressure with the imposition of additional sanctions and restrictions. The United Kingdom (UK) Government also moved in concert these past two weeks with the US and European Union (EU) in ratcheting up pressure on Russia. The EU approved a fifth package of restrictions against Russia and Belarus, while debate continues over whether to next possibly target Russia’s oil and gas exports to the bloc, and EU Member States grapple with Russia’s demand that payment for current exports of Russian oil and gas be in rubles.
The US and EU also continue to prepare for next month’s US-EU Trade and Technology Council ministerial. Separately, American lawmakers are moving forward with conferencing over respective differences in legislation that could provide financing to the US semiconductor sector, among other US competition and innovation priorities. The EU is moving forward with a legislative proposal that aims seeks to expand the bloc’s geographical indications scheme.
The UK Government released a new strategy focused on domestic energy security, which includes a focus on nuclear energy. The British Prime Minister also visited Kyiv, continuing to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine. Meanwhile, the US and UK remain focused on the Western Balkans and furthering the trilateral relationship with Australia.
- Ukraine and Russia, and transatlantic responses;
- Other notable US, UK, and EU developments; and
- A brief UK-EU trade deal update.