France warns Russia of EU sanctions if Navalny dies

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that in the event of the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the European Union would blame the Russian authorities for this and introduce new sanctions . The statement of the chief French diplomat was broadcast on France 2 TV channel, REUTERS reports.

“This ongoing attack on Navalny cannot be tolerated,” Le Drian said. “We will take the necessary sanctions, and it will be the responsibility of Mr. Putin and the Russian authorities. I hope that we will not go to such an extreme,” the French Foreign Minister said, answering a question about how Europe would react in the event of Navalny's death.

This week, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced that the EU countries "will continue to hold RUSSIA to account" in connection with the situation around the oppositionist. Borrell then urged the Russian authorities to give Navalny access to medical professionals he trusts. A little earlier, with a call to release Navalny and immediately provide him with full access to medical care, Dunya Mijatovic, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, also called.

Last week, Washington threatened Moscow with "consequences" if Navalny died. “We informed the Russian authorities that they are responsible for what happens to Navalny during his imprisonment, and they will be held accountable by the international community,” said US national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

The Kremlin, commenting on statements from Washington and Brussels, considered that the HEALTH of convicts in Russia is not a topic of interest for foreign states. “We do not accept such statements voiced by representatives of other states. The state of health of convicts and prisoners on the territory of Russia cannot and should not be a topic of their interest, ”said Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the President of Russia.