As reported by Bloomberg, European officials report that the US has reduced its engagement with sanction enforcement against Russia as President Donald Trump campaigns for an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
“It’s not clear to them whether the US has taken an active decision to scale back its involvement or it simply lacks key personnel, the officials said. Some meetings have been attended by more junior officials with little decision-making power, they added,” the report explained.
“The sanctions imposed on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine are becoming a major point of tension between Washington and Kyiv’s European allies as President Donald Trump pushes for an end to the conflict.
“Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding an end to trade restrictions as a condition of any ceasefire and the Europeans have made clear that they are not ready to do that.”
While this supposed shift in priorities will undoubtedly be attributed to President Trump, an apparent lack of interest or commitment to sanctions against the Russian diamond industry significantly predates the 2024 US Presidential Election in November.
Reuters reported in May that the US had disconnected from G7 working groups formulating sanctions against the Russian diamond trade as a result of industry backlash.
Earlier this month, the European Union was forced to delay the deadline for the implementation of a tracing mechanism for rough diamonds through the supply chain for a second time.
More reading
Russian diamond sales collapse amid sanctions, weak demand
Another setback for European Union’s diamond tracking scheme
Conflict diamonds: Definition debate continues
Crisis: Russian diamond mining juggernaut issues warning
War of words: European Union, Kimberley Process trade blows
US Sanctions revised as battle against Russian diamonds continues