Borrell desperate after the visit to Moscow: They are ruthless

The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said his visit to Moscow last week has shown that Russia is heading towards a <x0nd Street disturbing” and “authorial”, closing democracy and the rule of law.

Reporting before the European Parliament on his trip to Moscow, Borrell said the Kremlin has no intention of developing constructive relations, if human rights are part of discussions.

“They are ruthless”, Borrell said after visiting Moscow from 4 to 6 February.

“The current structure of power in Russia, combined with economic interests, military and political control, leaves no room for democratic rule of law”, Borrell added.

Relations between Moscow and the EU have been exasperated since Russia annexed the Ukrainian Crime Peninsula in 2014, and continues to support separatists fighting government forces in eastern Ukraine.

Lately, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, with a nervous agent, and his arrest following his return from Germany, where he handled treatment, has put relations between Russia and the EU at a crossroads.

The member countries will decide for the next steps, but yes, they may include sanctions”, Borrell said.

He said concrete proposals against Russia would likely be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on February 22nd and at an EU summit in March.