EU-Russia ties far from satisfactory: Top EU diplomat

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says relations between Brussels and Moscow have fallen to "a low point" amid a deepening standoff over the case of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

Borrell paid a three-day visit to Moscow on his own initiative and concluded the trip on Saturday. He reiterated the EU calls for the release of Navalny.

"The Navalny case is a low point in our relation," he said. "But despite our differences, to build a wall of silence is not an option."

A court in Moscow sentenced Navalny to three and a half years in prison last week, for breaking the terms of a suspended sentence he had received seven years ago for an embezzlement case.

Last month, Russian police detained Navalny on arrival at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport from Germany, five months after he was transferred to a hospital in Berlin to be treated for what the West alleged had been a nerve agent attack by Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly rejected the allegations, saying the West is exploiting the case for political reasons and using it as a pretext to impose more sanctions against Russia.

Borrell discussed the Navalny case with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, claiming that the EU had not yet taken any step toward imposing new sanctions on Russia over the case.

Russia slams West’s excessive hysteria over Navalny’s case

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the West’s hysteria over the case of opposition figure Alexei Navalny and the protests held over his detention in Russia has become excessive.

The EU has repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on Russia over the case.

In response, Lavrov called the EU “an unreliable partner,” saying that the Kremlin is “getting used to the fact that the European Union is trying to impose unilateral restrictions, illegitimate restrictions.”

Lavrov 'outplayed' Borrell

In Brussels, other EU diplomats criticized Lavrov, saying that “as expected, Lavrov outplayed Borrell.”

“The presser showed his lack of experience,” said a senior diplomat, adding that Borrell “was unprepared for many questions. Unfortunately, Lavrov played it by his own rules.”

The EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, however, said he was satisfied with Borrell's Russia expedition, according to her spokesman, who said, “I believe it has led to a frank engagement with Russian authorities."

Borrell’s visit to Moscow was the first high-level trip of this type in four years.

During the visit, he said that the Kremlin and Brussels need to keep diplomatic channels open “not only to de-escalate crises or incidents but to hold direct exchanges, deliver firm and frank messages, all the more so when relations are far from satisfactory.”

Russia expels diplomats from three EU countries over Navalny protests

Russia expels diplomats from three European Union (EU) countries for taking part in unauthorized protests in support of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

The EU top diplomat has also criticized Moscow for the expulsion of three European diplomats, dismissing the accusations that "they conducted activities incompatible with their status as foreign diplomats."

The Russian Foreign Ministry declared three diplomats from Poland, Germany, and Sweden persona non grata for taking part in unauthorized rallies in support of Navalny in Moscow and St. Petersburg last month.

Borrell "rejected the allegations that they conducted activities incompatible with their status" and asked Russia to "reconsider" their expulsion.

Germany and Poland summoned the Russian ambassadors in Berlin and Warsaw for an explanation on Friday, according to EU sources.

Russia has formerly warned the West against encouraging the unauthorized protests during the coronavirus pandemic.

Late last year, Russia imposed retaliatory sanctions against a number of European officials in response to punitive measures issued by the bloc against Moscow, over the Navalny case.

Western governments have repeatedly been attacking Russia with accusations that it poisoned Navalny, saying Moscow must help investigate the case or face consequences. The Kremlin rejects the allegations.

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