Lavrov Stated Russia's Readiness to Sever Relations with the European Union

Russia will sever relations with the EU if it sees sanctions threatening the economy, the Russian Foreign Minister said. Earlier, the head of EU diplomacy, Borrell, accused the Russian authorities of the lack of readiness for dialogue. On Friday, February 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced Moscow's readiness to sever relations with the European Union. This will happen if the authorities see again that "sanctions are being imposed in some areas that create risks for our economy, including in the most sensitive areas," he said in an interview with the Soloviev Live YouTube channel. "We do not want to isolate ourselves from world life, but we must be ready for this. If you want peace, prepare for war," the minister added. Mutual expulsions of diplomats and Borrell's visit to Moscow Relations between Russia and the European Union have deteriorated in recent weeks. Thus, on February 5, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared three employees of the diplomatic missions of Germany, Poland and Sweden personae non grata. The Russian side accused them of participating in the protests on January 23 in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The position of the ministry drew criticism from the European Union, Great Britain and the United States. Berlin, Stockholm and Warsaw responded by announcing the expulsion of three Russian diplomats. And after a three-day visit to Moscow, Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy accused the Russian authorities of not being ready for dialogue. During the trip, the head of EU diplomacy met with representatives of Russian human rights organizations and discussed with them the protests in the country. In addition, Borrell held talks with the Russian Foreign Minister, in which he insisted on the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and an investigation into his poisoning. The meeting with Lavrov confirmed that "Europe and Russia are moving in different directions," the European diplomat said. In his opinion, Russia "sees an existential threat in democratic values." Borrell intends to propose imposing sanctions on Russia. EU foreign ministers will discuss this issue on 22 February.