The European Union today expressed frustration over the escalation of tensions with Russia through its diplomatic representative and described the situation on the border with Ukraine as “very dangerous.”
“The relations with Russia are not improving; on the contrary, the tension is increasing on different fronts,” Josep Borrell said in a teleconference ahead of a meeting of the 27 foreign ministers.
Josep Borrell said the conference would begin with a discussion on the reciprocal expulsion of diplomats between Prague and Moscow.
The ministers will then discuss Navalny’s “very worrying” health condition. “Europeans have asked the Russian authorities to provide the healthcare he needs. Our request was not heard. Now the situation is becoming worse. We hold the Russian authorities responsible for the health situation of Mr Navalny,” warned Borrell.
Another big issue is Ukraine and the “very dangerous” situation created by the deployment of Russian troops on its borders. The European ministers will hold talks with their Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba.
Twenty-seven ministers will try to agree on the levers to use, but no sanctions are currently being discussed. “We will see later in the day,” a European official told AFP.