Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets told DW that sanctions on Russia send a "strong signal" to the Kremlin that it must "fulfill its international obligations." This follows the imprisonment of Alexei Navalny.
EU countries are ready to impose new sanctions against Russia over the poisoning and imprisonment of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Euronews has learned. A political decision is expected as early as next week.
The move comes after the widely-criticised visit of Josep Borrell, the EU s foreign affairs chief to Moscow.
The first set of EU sanctions over the Navalny case
was introduced in October, targeting six individuals and one entity believed to be involved in the poisoning of the Kremlin critic. No further action has been taken since he was jailed in early February.
Speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, diplomatic sources told Euronews that there will likely be a political decision on the topic during next week s Foreign Affairs Council.
FRANCE has urged the EU, UK and US to give up supplies to life-saving coronavirus vaccines amid growing fears that China and Russia are dishing out jabs to extend their diplomatic influence.
“At this phase, we need to get the vaccine before it is approved by the EMA.
“That way we can avoid dependency on internal distribution within the EU.
“It is important to emphasise that we are not violating any EU rule or regulation in the process.”
More EU countries are turning to the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine (Image: GETTY)
Russia could start shipping its Sputnik V jab to Europe before EU approval (Image: GETTY)
Zagreb is currently negotiating with Moscow for a supply of at least one million doses of the Sputnik V jab.
Even if the vaccine isn’t approved by EU regulators, the doses would still be shipped.