Alexei Navalny Imprisonment: EU to Strengthen Sanctions Against Russia

By RMN News Service

Following the recent imprisonment of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) call on EU countries to significantly strengthen sanctions against Russia.

In a resolution, adopted Thursday (January 21), the Parliament calls on EU member states to take an active stance on the arrest of Navalny and many of his followers at their next meetings and to “significantly strengthen the EU’s restrictive measures vis-à-vis Russia”.

This includes sanctioning the “individuals and legal entities” involved in the decision to arrest and imprison Navalny who is a Russian opposition leader and ant-corruption activist.

According to MEPs, the sanctions should also be imposed against Russian oligarchs linked to the regime, members of President Putin’s inner circle and Russian media propagandists, who possess assets in the EU and can currently travel there. Additional restrictive measures could also be taken under the new EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.

Following years of deteriorating relations, MEPs stress the importance of critically reviewing cooperation with Russia in various foreign policy platforms and on projects such as Nord Stream 2. They call on the EU to immediately stop the completion of the controversial pipeline.

MEPs also underline that the EU should no longer be a welcoming place for Russian wealth of unclear origin. With a view to the new administration in Washington, Parliament stresses that the EU should use this momentum to strengthen transatlantic unity in protecting democracy and fundamental values against authoritarian regimes.

The resolution finally demands the immediate and unconditional release of Navalny and of all other persons detained in relation to his return to Russia, be they journalists, members of his team or citizens showing support.

MEPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell had also discussed the case of Alexei Navalny on Tuesday 19 January.