Russian Foreign Minister: Russia must make any preparations for relations with the EU
Xinhua News Agency, Moscow, February 15 (Reporter Leo) Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said on the 15th that the European Union has been undermining relations with Russia and Russia must prepare for any developments. The EU has the right to choose.
Lavrov held talks with the visiting Finnish Foreign Minister Havisto on the same day.
He said at a joint press conference held after the talks that the EU has been undermining relations with Russia and that Russia must prepare for any developments, and the EU has the right to choose.
If the EU decides to restore relations with Russia and take relevant actions, Russia will also be prepared for this.
Lavrov also said that there is no problem with Russia's relations with most European countries. The Russian-Finnish relations based on equality and mutual benefit are a good example.
He emphasized that the EU should not be confused with Europe. Russia has many partners in Europe and Russia will continue to develop mutually beneficial relations with it.
Haavisto said at the press conference that the current important task is to find a way for the EU and Russia to actively dialogue and exchange views.
The EU has a negative opinion on Russia's decision to expel personnel from the three European countries' diplomatic missions in Russia. At the same time, the EU and Russia have close ties with Russia in terms of enterprises and the implementation of joint economic and trade projects.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 5th that some personnel in the diplomatic missions of Sweden, Poland, and Germany in Russia were “unwelcome persons” and asked them to leave the country in the near future because they participated in the Nasdaq Rally in Valine.
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Borelli visited Russia from the 4th to the 6th.
After returning to the European Union, he stated on social media that Russia expelled diplomats from the three European countries during his visit, indicating that Russia did not want to seize the opportunity to have a constructive dialogue with the European Union.
The EU must formulate a plan for Russia to bear the consequences and does not rule out additional sanctions.
Lavrov subsequently said in an interview with Russian media that if the EU imposes sanctions on Russia to bring risks to the Russian economy, it does not rule out the possibility of Russia breaking off relations with the EU.