The possible steps include "catch-all" clauses to ID & stop suspect goods shipments to #Russia & wider #oil shipping curbs….

There are also discussions about changing a requirement that a freeze on Russian central bank #assets, the biggest single Western #sanction on Moscow, must be renewed by European capitals every 6 months….

A few member states are working on…a “catch-all" clause applied either to battlefield goods or across a larger spectrum of banned exports, 3 EU diplomats said.

The clause would allow customs ofcls to hold up shipments if the destination seemed illogical, such as crossing #Russia to reach #CentralAsia countries.

The preparations are being made, in anticipation of a change in Washington's position, should #Trump be reelected.

Any softening by DC would leave #Europe in a difficult position, as it is the #UnitedStates, w/sweeping powers to punish #sanctions busting globally, that primarily enforces the rules.

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The #EU is now trying to find means of its own to bolster enforcement & reinforce its curbs on #Russia.

Tom Keatinge, of think tank the Royal United Services Institute, said European policy makers had been preparing "autonomous European #sanctions considering the possibility of a #Trump presidency" but would have to bolster enforcement.

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"Should a #Trump presidency reverse #US sanctions on #Russia, Europeans will need to be much more muscular in ... enforcement action & will no longer be able to hide behind Uncle Sam," he said.

…European countries were wrongfooted during Trump's last presidency, when the #UnitedStates reversed an international deal w/ #Iran over its #nuclear program & unilaterally reinstated #sanctions, leaving #Europe out on a limb.

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