“The latest European Union conflict with Russia has provided the United States with an opportunity to defend a joint position on Moscow, as officials on both sides of the Atlantic are considering how to hold the Kremlin accountable for the situation with Alexei Navalny”, – writes the Wall Street Journal.
According to the newspaper, the visit of the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, to Moscow last week was another step by a number of politicians led by French President Emmanuel Macron in an effort to strengthen relations with Russia.
“However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, following the talks, criticized the EU for interfering in the situation with Navalny. Later, Borrell learned that Moscow was expelling three European diplomats. On Sunday, Borrell wrote on his blog that “Russia is increasingly moving away from Europe and views democratic values as an existential threat”. He added that the EU may impose sanctions in connection with the conclusion of Navalny”, – the newspaper writes.
The newspaper notes that in recent years Moscow has allegedly tried to separate the US and the EU, “but the events of the past week provided the Biden administration with new opportunities”.
“Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said last week that Washington wants to closely coordinate with its European allies Moscow’s actions on Navalny”, – the newspaper adds.