Borrell’s Moscow trip does not help Navalny

The EPP Group in the European Parliament has heavily criticised Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: "Holding a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov while the leading opposition politician Alexei Navalny is again on politically motivated trials, does not help his case and is a slap in the face for all those who defend democracy", said Sandra Kalniete MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group in charge of Foreign Affairs.

"The High Representative's visit to Moscow would only make sense if he visited Alexei Navalny and held extensive talks with those who stand for democracy. The reality is that Mr Borrell did not even try to meet Mr Navalny. And he did not even try to mention Crimea", Kalniete deplored.

"We expected the EU High Representative to defend European values and not become a tool of Kremlin propaganda. Alexei Navalny must be released immediately and unconditionally. All his supporters detained during the peaceful protests must be released as well", she stressed.

“Russia is not a democracy, it’s a kleptocratic autocracy. There cannot be business as usual. There cannot be any complacency with a regime which uses justice as a political tool to remain in power at the expense of the interests and the will of the citizens. The EU must act now. Its inaction will be considered as complicity. We urge Member States to step up the sanctions and use all available tools to target Russian money in Europe, which fuels Mr Putin’s regime", Kalniete underlined.

“Our relations with Russia need to be seriously reassessed. We need to focus them on supporting those who defend democracy, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights. Our cooperation with Russia in international fora and on projects such as Nord Stream 2 has to be reviewed and the completion of the latter must stop immediately”, Kalniete concluded.