EU foreign policy chief to propose sanctions against Russia

FILE PHOTO: EU Parliament. /Xinhua

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said he will propose the bloc's 27 member states impose sanctions on Russia after Moscow rebuffed his attempts to renew a dialogue.

"It will be for the member states to decide the next step, but yes this could include sanctions and I will put forward concrete proposals," Mr Borrell told politicians at the European Parliament.

A number of eastern European countries have called for punitive measures to be slapped on Russia over the imprisoning of top Krelim opposition leader Alexei Navalny and crackdown on protesters.

Navalny was sentenced to almost three years in jail after returning to Russia last month following treatment in Germany.

EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the issue at their next meeting on 22 February. Mr Borrell addressed legislators after a chastening visit to Russia last week, during which the Kremlin expelled three European diplomats.

Despite opposition from some capitals, the former Spanish minister insisted on making the trip to confront the Kremlin over Mr Navalny and sound it out over cooperation on other issues.

(With input from agencies)