No further sanctions against Russia, say EU foreign ministers
EU foreign ministers are not considering adopting any further visa bans, asset freezes or sanctions against Russia or officials close to President Putin, in spite of a parliamentary resolution passed last week in reaction to the arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow.
Last Thursday, the European Parliament adopted the resolution which also called for a stop to "projects such as Nord Stream 2" as well as sanctions on "oligarchs".
Read more: MEPs want Nord Stream 2 stopped & sanctions on Russian oligarchs
"We are talking about co-operation with Russia instead of sanctions," said Luxembourg foreign minister Jean Asselborn.
EU foreign affairs high representative Josep Borrell said released a statement condemning Navalny's detention, adding "Politicisation of the judiciary is unacceptable and Mr Navalny’s rights must be respected."
The statement also called for the release of Navalny's supporters who were detained.
Some member states brought up the question of sanctions but "no concrete proposal" is on the table, Borrell said.
In October 2020, the EU imposed sanctions on six Russian security officers following the assassination attempt on Mr Navalny.
Read more: Nord Stream 2: Construction resumes as Germany mulls sanctions loophole & US demands moratorium
The German federal state of Mecklenberg-Vorpommern recently approved the formation of the MV Climate Protection Foundation. The foundation,m would effectively act as a slush fund, and through it Nord Stream 2 would be considered as a project of environmental significance.
Companies then working for the Foundation would then no longer find themselves subject to US sanctions as they are not directly working on the Gazprom pipeline.
EU leaders are set to discuss relations with Russia in March.
US President Joe Biden has not shown any sign of softening on his predecessor's stance on opposing the pipeline.
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