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The EU Foreign Affairs Representative Josep Borrell with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
Photo: RUSSIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY HANDOUT / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
At a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, EU Foreign Affairs Representative Josep Borrell spoke of a “low point” in relations between Russia and the European Union.
Despite the tensions, Russia wants to continue working with the European Union.
"We wish to continue the political dialogue," Lavrov said after the meeting in Moscow.
There are different views and contradictions, but it doesn't work without dialogue.
Lavrov said Russia is ready to answer "any questions" on Alexei Navalny.
Borrell had called for the detained Kremlin critic to be released.
When asked about possible new EU sanctions because of the developments in the Navalny case, EU foreign affairs representative Borrell pointed out that possible further measures should be discussed at a meeting of foreign ministers on February 22nd.
In addition, the heads of state and government wanted to deal with relations with Russia at their summit in March.
On Tuesday, a Moscow court ruled that Navalny had to spend almost three years in a penal colony for violating probation conditions from 2014.
In addition, another court case against him started this week.
Tens of thousands of people recently took to the streets across Russia for Navalny's release and against Kremlin boss Putin, and more than 11,000 people were arrested.
The EU criticized the police's crackdown on the opposition.
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bmo / dpa / AFP