Russia announced on Friday February 5, 2021 to expel European diplomats for having taken part in demonstrations in favor of the imprisoned opponent Alexeï Navalny, after talks in Moscow which showed, according to the EU representative, “at most low ”. A few hours after talks between the head of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov and that of the European Union, Josep Borrell, in Moscow, Russia called for the departure of diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden. Josep Borrell “strongly condemned” these expulsions and “rejected Russia’s allegations” about diplomats.
The “unjustified” expulsion of diplomats shows “an additional facet of what is happening in Russia now and which has little to do with the rule of law”, lambasted German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin during a conference joint press release with Emmanuel Macron. The French president said himself “totally in line and in solidarity (with Germany) on what is happening in Russia” and condemned the expulsion “with the greatest firmness”.
The head of German diplomacy Heiko Maas meanwhile threatened Russia with reprisals if it “does not reconsider this measure”. Sweden denounced a “completely unfounded” measure, while Poland warned that Moscow’s decision risked damaging bilateral relations. The presence of diplomats at “illegal” gatherings on January 23 in support of Alexei Navalny in St. Petersburg and Moscow is “unacceptable and incompatible with their status,” said the Russian authorities. This announcement illustrates the state of Russian-European tensions, while Josep Borrell, from Moscow, denounced the imprisonment of Alexei Navalny and the repression of demonstrations in his favor.
“Severely strained” relations
“It is certain that our relations are severely strained and the Navalny affair is a lower one”, noted Josep Borrell, facing Sergey Lavrov, reiterating his call for the release of the opponent and the “launch of an impartial investigation concerning his poisoning ”.
Josep Borrell underlined that “questions of the rule of law, human rights, civil society and political freedoms” would remain at the heart of the Russo-European relationship, even if Russia sees it as an unacceptable interference.
US President Joe Biden has also strongly criticized Russia, in particular for his treatment of Alexei Navalny, remarks described as “very aggressive” by the Kremlin. Sworn enemy of the current Russian power, the 44-year-old opponent was sentenced on Tuesday to two years and eight months in prison for violating a judicial check while he was recovering in Germany after poisoning in Siberia.
He accuses the authorities of wanting to silence him. This summer, he survived this poisoning for which he holds President Vladimir Putin responsible. The EU has adopted sanctions against Russian officials in the face of Moscow’s refusal to investigate. Friday, Josep Borrell said that no new sanctions had been proposed “for the time being”. Despite everything, MM. Borrell and Lavrov pleaded for cooperation in less thorny areas, citing the example of the Russian anti-Covid vaccine, Sputnik V, “good news for humanity”, according to the European.
Navalny back in court
The arrest of the opponent upon his return from convalescence sparked protests across the country. Many NGOs, Russian media and Western countries denounced the brutal repression that followed and led to some 10,000 arrests interspersed with police violence. The opponent was again in court on Friday, accused of defaming a veteran of the Second World War who had defended in a campaign clip last summer, a constitutional reform which strengthened the powers of Vladimir Putin. He had qualified the speakers in this video as “shame of the Nation” and “traitors”.
Alexeï Navalny, who risks a heavy fine or even a prison sentence, denounces a political accusation. “The criminal proceedings against Navalny are linked only to his political activity, to his criticism of the activities of Vladimir Poutine”, pleaded his lawyer Vadim Kobzev.
A next hearing is scheduled for February 12. In addition to this file, the opponent is targeted by an investigation for fraud, an offense punishable by ten years in prison. Most of his close associates have been arrested or placed under house arrest.
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