It became known about the introduction of new EU sanctions against Russia in the coming month. Writes about this Reuters with reference to diplomatic sources.
The European Union may impose travel bans and freeze the assets of supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the protest in the case of Alexei Navalny (he is the founder of the FBK, included by the Ministry of Justice in the register of organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent ). This possibility is associated with the willingness of France and Germany to take such measures. At the same time, Paris and Berlin may abandon tougher sanctions: for example, against the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline.
Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, the Baltic countries are already insisting on the introduction of sanctions. Reuters notes that if France and Germany agree, other EU countries are unlikely to be able to block this decision. Most likely, he will be finally adopted at a meeting of the Council of EU Foreign Ministers on February 22.
“We can no longer avoid sanctions. There is a consensus in favor of sanctions, which includes Germany. We cannot do otherwise, “- said the source of the agency.
On February 2, the court changed Navalny's suspended sentence to a real one, sentencing him to 3.5 years in a general regime colony. This decision drew strong criticism from Western countries.
