All options for measures against Russia will be discussed at the EU summit at the end of May, said Clement Bon, Secretary of State at the French Foreign Ministry.
“I would like to point out that we will defend the strategy of firmness, examining all options (measures against Russia – ed.) фt the European summit at the end of the month, in which the president of the republic will take part”, – Bon said, speaking at a meeting of the National assembly.
PACE rapporteur Jacques Mayor spoke before him, who called for the use of all legal instruments to “force Russia to comply with its obligations” in the situation with Alexei Navalny. He also said that the EU took no action after Russia barred a number of European officials from entering its territory.
On Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry published the names of eight EU citizens who are banned from entering Russia.
The list includes, in particular, the head of the European Parliament David Sassoli, the vice-president of the European Commission for European values and transparency Vera Yurova and the Mayor. This step was taken in response to the restrictive measures imposed on March 2 and 22 by the EU Council against six Russians, the Foreign Ministry said. Last Thursday, PACE adopted a resolution calling for the release of Alexei Navalny and provide him with the necessary medical assistance. The mayor was the PACE special rapporteur on the situation with Navalny.