Josep Borrell
The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, accused Russia of taking a “course of confrontation” with Brussels. His words are quoted by TASS.
“The ministers [of foreign affairs of the EU member states] have reaffirmed five principles on which our relations with Russia should be built. We understand that Russia has embarked on a course of confrontation with the European Union, ”he said.
Borrell also answered the question of why the EU does not change the principles of working with Russia if they do not bring results. In his opinion, Brussels still has old needs. For example, it is important for him to maintain relations with Moscow in the areas of energy and climate. However, their implementation depends on the circumstances.
The head of European diplomacy stressed that the issue of relations between the EU and Russia will be central during the EU summit on March 25-26.
The five principles Borrel mentioned, set in 2016, include adhering to the Minsk Agreements on the situation in eastern Ukraine, establishing close contacts between the EU and CIS countries, and opposing Moscow.
Earlier it became known that the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EU approved sanctions against 11 people, including citizens of Russia, China and Libya, for violation of human rights. The names of the Russians who will be affected by the new restrictions have not been named. Brussels also introduced measures against two security officials from Chechnya: the deputy prime minister of the republic, the commander of the Terek unit Abuzaid Vismuradov, and the ex-chief of police in the city of Argun Ayub Kataev.
