EU foreign policy chief says he was aware of ‘obvious risks’ but stressed importance of talking to Moscow. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/eu-policies/enlargement-and-foreign-affairs/josep-borrell-landed-in-brussels-criticism-over-visit-to-russia/ EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday defended his much-criticized trip to Moscow as “important” and said he would propose sanctions in response to Russia’s refusal to engage on human rights.

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Speaking in the European Parliament, Borrell said he was under “no illusion” about his visit to Russia last Friday and was aware that it “presented obvious risks,” which he was willing to take.

“I wanted to test whether the Russian authorities are interested in a serious attempt to reverse the deterioration of our relations and seize the opportunity to have a more constructive dialogue. The answer has been clear: No, they are not,” Borrell said.

Borrell has faced sharp criticism from MEPs and European diplomats for having stood by silently as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the EU an “unreliable partner” during a joint press conference in Moscow on Friday. Over 70 MEPs on Monday said the foreign policy chief must resign — or be sacked — over what they called a “humiliating” performance by Borrell, whose visit to the Russian capital was overshadowed by the Kremlin expelling three European diplomats for allegedly attending demonstrations in support of jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

“I think it was important to show our concerns, directly, in person, at the right moment and in the right place,” the former Spanish foreign minister told Parliament. “Looking at each other in the eyes, especially on issues that are conflictual … is a way of showing that foreign policy cannot be reduced to issuing a written statement from a safe distance.”

Borrell also said he would push for additional EU sanctions against Moscow. “I will put forward concrete proposals,” he said, adding that EU foreign ministers would discuss these proposals at a meeting on February 22. “It will be for the member states to decide the next steps. But yes, this could include sanctions,” he said. “Containment efforts” by the EU should also include “robust action” against disinformation and cyberattacks, he added.

“I’m very concerned over the perspective of the Russian authorities’ geostrategic choices and the implications of their actions,” he said. “We are at a crossroads in our relations with Russia. And the choices that we will make will determine the international power dynamics of this century.”

During the debate that followed Borrell’s address, lawmakers from across the spectrum criticized his trip and his performance in Moscow.