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Eighty-one MEPs called for the resignation of the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, after his visit to Moscow, which they described as “humiliating”.
In a letter addressed to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the 81 signatories are “very concerned about the humiliating events” resulting from Josep Borrell’s visit to Moscow and ask Von der Leyen to “act”.
“Borrell’s misjudgment in proactively deciding to visit Moscow, and his inability to defend the interests and values of the EU during his visit, seriously harmed the reputation of the EU and the dignity of the post of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs. We believe that the president of the European Commission should take action if Borrell does not resign of his own free will, “the letter reads.
Noting that the head of European diplomacy decided to go to Moscow “on his own initiative”, showing “contempt for the crimes committed by the Putin regime against his political opponents”, the signatories also refer that Borrell did not “defend the interests of the EU” .
“Instead of vehemently condemning Navalny’s arrest and visiting him in prison, Borrell wrongly stated that there had been no discussions on EU sanctions [à Rússia] due to Navalny’s incarceration. This statement was incorrect as several Member States, at the highest level, requested [a que sejam introduzidas] sanctions “, they point out.
MEPs also criticize Borrell’s stance during the joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, accusing the senior representative of not reacting while the Russian minister “fiercely criticizes” the US and the EU.
“Lavrov even said that EU leaders are ‘deluded’ and ‘culturally arrogant’ when they accuse Russia of trying to assassinate Navalny. Instead of confronting Lavrov, Borrell attacked our main ally, the United States, on the Cuba issue. “, they point out.
As for the expulsion of diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden from Russia, a decision announced by the Kremlin last Friday, when Borrell was in Moscow, MEPs also say that the head of European diplomacy could not “send a firm signal. “by not ending his visit at that time.
In addition to the aforementioned “transgressions”, the signatories also note that the High Representative “did not mention the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine,” while seizing “the opportunity to support the Russian coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, although it has not been approved by the European Medicines Agency. “
The 81 MEPs thus request the resignation of the High Representative or the dismissal of the European Commission.
Josep Borrell traveled to Russia between February 4 and 6, a visit that was marked by the expulsion of diplomats from Germany, Russia and Poland by Moscow.
In a note published on Sunday on the blog of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Borrell called the visit “very complicated”, marked by an “aggressively organized press conference” and an indication that “the Russian authorities do not want seize “the opportunity to” engage in constructive dialogue with the EU.
“My meeting with Minister Lavrov and the messages issued by the Russian authorities during my visit confirm that the EU and Russia are distancing themselves. It seems that Russia is progressively disconnecting from Europe and seeing democratic values as an existential threat,” it read in the note from the head of diplomacy.
The EP, meeting in plenary this week, will discuss “political turmoil” in Russia this afternoon, including the arrest of Russian opponent Alexei Navalny and demonstrations of support “across the country” with Borrell.
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