At their meeting on Monday, EU foreign ministers agreed to impose sanctions on all those responsible for the sentencing and imprisonment of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said in Brussels on Monday.
At a press conference following a one-day meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Josep Borrell emphasized that preparations had begun for restrictive measures against specific individuals. Member States can decide on their specific proposals by written procedure within a week, the MTI quotes.
In his words, Russia is drifting towards authoritarian regimes and is definitely moving away from Europe. There is no intention on the part of Moscow to pursue a constructive dialogue with the European Union. The ministers noted that Moscow was not interested in improving the link, he said.
According to him, the union rejects the disregard for international obligations towards Russia, including human rights and the rule of law, resists Moscow’s desire to put pressure on the community through the dissemination of disinformation or cyber attacks, and defends its interests. He added that the EU will provide more support in the future to all those who have defended political and civil liberties in Russia. At the same time, he wants to avoid any conflict with his neighbor, who, as he put it, “unfortunately chose to be hostile.”
He said Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, joined the council by video conference. They agreed that they need to work on effective response to the coronavirus epidemic, repairing economic and social damage, addressing the challenges posed by climate change, supporting democratic values, and how they can strengthen transatlantic security.
On the Council’s debate on Iran’s nuclear deal, he said the EU’s priority was to get Iran back on full compliance with its nuclear agreement and to look at how it could help lift US sanctions. This is the only way to maintain global security.
He reaffirmed that the Union is working to convene an informal meeting with the signatory states to the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, including the United States.
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