As US lawmakers reached an agreement at the weekend for sweeping new sanctions to be levied against Russia as Washington seeks to punish Moscow for its reported, but rather more imaginary meddling in last year’s election, Brussels is preparing to retaliate against the US if Washington pushes ahead with far-reaching new sanctions on Russia that hit European companies. 

Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, has called for an urgent review of how Brussels should respond if Europe’s energy companies or other businesses are targeted by sanctions under discussion in the US Congress.

According to a note prepared for a commission meeting on Wednesday, Brussels “should stand ready to act within days” if the US measures were “adopted without EU concerns being taken into account”.    Finally, Europe is waking up. 
About time !