I think that was always the plan actually. US was starting to get worried that Europe was getting entirely too cozy with Russia and China. All the sanctions ensured that Europe was forced to abandon trade with Russia, and got pulled firmly into US orbit.
In a reversal, this is looking more and more like Russian sanctions on the EU instead based on who is really hurting.
I think that was always the plan actually. US was starting to get worried that Europe was getting entirely too cozy with Russia and China. All the sanctions ensured that Europe was forced to abandon trade with Russia, and got pulled firmly into US orbit.