John McCain: European sanctions on Russia are 'a joke'
Europe's tepid sanctions on Russia are "a joke" that will only encourage further aggression from Vladimir Putin, John McCain said on Wednesday, The Telegraph reported.
The Republican senator, who has been a leading voice for strong action against Moscow, led a chorus of American anger over Europe's limited sanctions in the wake of the downing of Flight MH17.
"It's a joke and they will do nothing and I predicted they would do nothing," Mr McCain told The Telegraph. "They will continue to do nothing until the day they become independent of Russian energy. Until then they will talk."
European foreign ministers announced Tuesday they would sanction more Ukrainian and Russian individuals and companies but stopped short of broad sanctions designed to hammer the Russian economy.
Mr McCain said that in the face of European inaction it would be helpful for Britain to move ahead unilaterally with banking sanctions but he doubted the British government had the resolve.