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“It is very cruel,” a senior EU diplomat told Moscow last week in Moscow.
“Russia’s current power structure, which combines legitimate economic interests, military and political control, leaves no room for a democratic rule of law,” he said.
The European Union’s head of diplomacy said he would propose to the 27 countries of the bloc to announce sanctions against Russia after Moscow rejected attempts to seek cooperation during his official visit.
“We will first discuss this at the EU foreign ministers meeting on February 22 and at the March European Council,” Borrell told MEPs.
“Member states will have to decide the next step, but yes, it can include sanctions, and I will make concrete proposals,” he added.
He also warned of the need to prevent fragmentation of the EU, which he said Russia wants, and to continue talks with Moscow.
“Russia has tried to divide us. It wants to sow discord. She could not do it. On the subject of Ukraine, on the subject of human rights, they have not managed to divide us,” Borrell said during a plenary session of the EP during his visit to Russia of February 4-6.
According to him, that Russian objective was evident during his visit to Moscow.
“And we must not fall into their trap,” Borrell said.
He said that, in turn, he will continue to advocate for dialogue with Moscow.
“I will look them in the eye, especially on sensitive issues, I will defend [Kremliaus kritiko] Alexei Navalno in the second. His trial took place in Moscow, I was prevented from meeting him. This shows that foreign policy is not just about putting out a press release in my Berlaymont office. [pastate, kur įsikūrusi Europos Komisija]. It is important to show our concerns in person at the right time and place, ”said the EU Head of Diplomacy.
Is called to resign
Dozens of MEPs have asked the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs, Mr Borrell, to resign after a “humiliated” visit to Moscow, which “has done great damage to the reputation of the EU”.
“During his visit last week, Mr Borrell has not repeatedly defended the interests of the EU,” read a letter to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, signed by more than 80 MEPs.
“We believe that the president of the European Commission should take action if Mr Borrell does not voluntarily resign,” the letter said.
Borrell was criticized after a visit to Moscow, where politicians flocked to demand the release of the jailed Russian dissident Alexei Navalna, but to no avail.
Shortly after a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who occasionally showed open hostility, it emerged that Russia had sent three EU diplomats for alleged involvement in protests by Navaln supporters. Borrell asked for the decision to be reversed, but to no avail.
According to the parliamentarians who signed the letter, Borrell should have opposed Lavrov, who spoke of the “arrogance” of the EU in the Navaln case, and stopped the visit as soon as he learned of the expulsion of diplomats.
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