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The visit, the first visit by EU diplomats to Russia since 2017, has been criticized by some European capitals, who are concerned that Moscow will use it as proof that Brussels wishes to return to normal communication.
But Borrell says he will deliver “clear news” to the Kremlin, which ignores Western calls to release Russia’s most famous critic, President Vladimir Putin, who was sent behind bars for nearly three years on Tuesday.
“When things are not going well, we need to communicate,” the former Spanish foreign minister said Monday.
The EU’s relations with Russia have been bad since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 and started inciting war in Ukraine. There are also concerns about Russia’s role in Belarus, Syria, Libya, Central Africa and the Caucasus.
Borrell wishes to speak with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about opportunities for cooperation on issues such as possible assistance from Russia to reactivate the agreement with Iran on its nuclear program and the fight against climate change.
However, the visit will be dominated by the imprisonment of Navaln and the arrest of thousands of protesters across Russia.
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