“If the US sanctions specifically disadvantage EU companies trading with Russia in the energy sector the EU is prepared to take appropriate steps in response within days,” President of the European Commission Juncker said.

“US Congress has now also committed that sanctions will only be applied after the country’s allies are consulted. And I do believe we are still allies of the US”, President Juncker added.

According to the European Commission, the US bill could have an  impact on EU interests relating to energy supply security. The sanctions would affect energy transport and the maintenance of pipeline systems in Russia which supply the Ukrainian gas transit system. The new US sanctions could also impact EU efforts to further diversify the energy sector, particularly in the Baltic