EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) hold a joint press conference following their meeting in Moscow. Russia, February 5, 2021 (Photo by the Russian Foreign Ministry / Brochure) / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Russian Foreign Ministry Anadolu Agency Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
LONDON – Russia has said it is ready to sever ties with the European Union, according to an excerpt from an interview posted on Russia’s foreign ministry website on Friday morning. The comments mark a further escalation of tensions between the two sides.
When asked if Russia was heading for a break with the European Union, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said: “We start from the fact that we are ready (for that). see sanctions imposed on some sectors that create risks to our economy, including the most sensitive areas, “according to a translation of Reuters comments.
“We do not want to isolate ourselves from global life, but we must be prepared for that. If you want peace, prepare for war,” Lavrov added.
Neither the Russian Foreign Ministry nor the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, was immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC on Friday.
Russia-EU relations hit a new low last week when EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell visited his counterpart in Moscow. It has since been described as a “humiliating” journey by analysts.
Borrell went there expressing EU opposition to the arrest of Alexei Navalny, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, he accused Russia of gathering “a press conference with aggressive scenes” during his trip.
Speaking to the press, Lavrov said that “the EU is not a reliable partner, at least at the current stage.” Borrell was unable to address this comment, which he provoked anger among some European legislators.
In addition, Borrell learned via Twitter during a meeting with Lavrov that Russia had expelled three EU diplomats for attending demonstrations in support of Navalny.
“A press conference with aggressive scenes and the expulsion of three EU diplomats during my visit indicate that the Russian authorities did not want to take this opportunity to maintain a more constructive dialogue with the EU,” Borrell said in a post to blog two days after your trip.
As a result, he suggested that the EU should impose a new sanction on Russia, a decision that must be approved by European governments.
It would not be the first time that Russian companies and individuals are sanctioned by the EU. Their relationship has deteriorated significantly since then The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, however, ultimately, its ties are hugely important for both given their shared economic, energy and strategic interests.
Analysts have told CNBC that the latest differences between Moscow and the EU could put pressure on the pipeline being built from Russia to Germany, Nord Stream 2.
The project has been harshly criticized, including by the United States, which has imposed sanctions on companies working on the pipeline, a stance that new U.S. President Joe Biden has shown no sign of change.