Of course, we are the indispensible nation! Even so.

As the White House struggles to calibrate sanctions against Russia, Europe hangs back. Some say if the U.S. leads, Europe will follow. President Obama argues, if U.S. companies stop selling gizmos to Russia, European companies will happily supply them. In the meantime, energy companies have rushed to reassure Russia, not to worry. They will keep on investing.

NYTimes headline: U.S. Weighs Harder Line on Russia Than European Allies

Here is the list of sanctions announced by Washington on Monday.