U.S. Options Are Limited for Sanctions on Russia

As the standoff between Russia and the West continues over Ukraine, the United States is considering enacting trade sanctions against Russia. However, there is little Washington can sanction that would affect Moscow significantly unless the White House takes the drastic and unlikely step of banning U.S. firms from working with or in Russia.

Any sanctions regime would require Europe's participation if it is to pose a meaningful threat to Russia, and enacting real trade sanctions against Moscow would hurt many Europeans as well. Washington will probably have to act on its own if it moves forward with sanctions.