Brussels opposition will impose new sanctions on Russian officials over the detention of European Union opposition leader Alexei Navalny and move forward with steps to challenge Beijing over its Hong Kong crackdown, signaling a shift in the bloc’s position on both countries toward the US. .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday evening that he would propose a list of Russian officials to freeze assets and ban travel in the case of Naval. Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers, he said he hoped the list would be approved in a week.
The sanctions “will target those responsible for his arrest, sentencing and harassment,” Mr Borel told a news conference. The two diplomats said they expect the EU to allow about half a dozen people.
U.S. It will be the first use of the EU’s new human rights ban framework, like the Magnitsky Act.
The European Union’s decision came as foreign ministers held a two-hour video conference with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Discussions have ranged from Russia and China on a number of issues, from the Biden administration’s goal of working with European allies to the challenges of the Iran nuclear deal.
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