ATHENS, January 30. /TASS/. Russia is gearing up for a tough conversation about the very nature of its current relations with the European Union during EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell’s upcoming visit scheduled for February 5, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in an interview with Russian journalists late on Friday.

According to the senior diplomat, the agenda of the visit is clear. "It is dictated by life. We are getting ready for a very serious conversation about the very nature of the current Russia-European Union relations taking into account the new global realities, taking into account the fact that the world has already become multipolar. Naturally, all international problems and regional issues will be also touched upon," he said.

Grushko noted that Russia did not discuss with the European Union the sanctions imposed by it. "We condemn them, and our stance is clear, but we do not discuss them. They impose these sanctions, and they must understand the full extent of responsibility for the consequences of these sanctions that will follow as a result of our steps or as a result of the direct impact of these sanctions on their citizens, their businesses and so on. These sanctions are, in many ways, tantamount to shooting oneself in the foot. How long the European Union will adhere to these sanctions, again, that’s the European Union’s business. However, it is obvious to us that Europe’s strategic interests cannot boil down to impairing relations with Russia," he stressed.