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The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, defended his visit to Russia amid the tensions over the conviction of Alexei Navalny and the brutally repressed protests by the Kremlin authorities. Borrell says dialogue with Moscow must remain open, “especially when relations are far from satisfactory.”
“Diplomatic channels must remain open, not only to calm crises or incidents, but also to have direct exchanges, to transmit firm and sincere messages, especially when relations are far from satisfactory,” said Josep Borrell in a statement, according to Agerpres.
Europe has vehemently criticized a Russian court’s decision this week to sentence Russian dissident Alexei Navalny to nearly three years in prison, as well as the crackdown on pro-naval protesters, leading to the arrest of more than 10,000 people in the last weeks. As a result, Borrell’s visit seemed all the more bizarre, as the European diplomat appeared to play a passive role in the meeting, sitting next to Lavrov as the Russian official criticized the European Union and called it a “frivolous partner.”
Also, while Borrell was meeting with Lavrov, Moscow announced the expulsion of Polish, German and Swedish diplomats. Russia has accused diplomats of participating in “illegal demonstrations on January 23” in support of Navalny. EU countries have vigorously denied any blame.
Josep Borrell said he would present a report to the foreign ministers of the 27 member states on February 22 and that EU leaders would discuss strained relations with Moscow at a summit in March.
EU diplomats “stayed in contact” with Navalny’s lawyers during the two-day visit, Josep Borrell said in a statement, without elaborating or addressing possible new sanctions against Russia.
Publisher: Adrian Dumitru
