EU foreign ministers today agreed to impose sanctions on four high-ranking Russian officials for imprisoning opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Reuters reported, citing two diplomats.
No specific names were discussed at the meeting in Brussels. The foreign ministers gave the green light to prepare the list.
However, according to the quoted diplomats, the EU will impose sanctions on four high-ranking representatives of the Russian authorities. These are the head of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, the Prosecutor General and the directors of the National Guard and the Federal Penitentiary Service.
Earlier in the day, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell expressed the expectation that member states’ foreign ministers would be united and determined in discussing Russia’s response to recent actions.
“It is clear that Russia has taken a confrontation with Europe, the case of Alexei Navalny is a clear example of a breach of Russian commitments. The Russian side refuses to take into account the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on Navalny,” Borel said.
Arriving to attend today’s meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, he did not specify whether he would exercise his right to propose sanctions against Russian representatives.
Before the meeting, however, several foreign ministers, including Heiko Maas, Germany’s first diplomat, voiced support for imposing sanctions on Russia.
At the end of this week, relations with Russia will also be discussed by the European Council.
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