The European Commission is preparing measures to protect the EU amid the Nord Stream US sanctions threat, Reuters reported.

US senators have announced a bill tightening sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, designed by Russia’s Gazprom. 

“The EU’s position on U.S. sanctions against European companies that carry out legitimate and lawful activities under European law is unequivocal. They are unacceptable and contrary to international law, and the Union firmly opposes them,” Joseph Borrell said in a written response. “The Commission is preparing the ground for the adoption of an enhanced sanctions mechanism that will improve Europe’s resilience to the effects of extra-territorial sanctions imposed by third countries.”

According to Borrell, crippling the EU economic interests, the US sanctions would weaken the two parties’ show of unity against Russian actions to destabilize Ukraine, after Moscow 'annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Kyiv in 2014.'