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Kremlin expects EU to refrain from linking relations to Navalny case

The spokesman pointed out that the Russian authorities were looking forward to meeting with the EU top diplomat

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Sergei Bobylev/TASS

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

MOSCOW, February 2. /TASS/. The Kremlin expects that the European Union won’t link the future of its relations with Russia to Alexey Navalny’s case, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

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"We hope that the future of Russia-EU relations won’t be linked to the remand prisoner’s case, which would be a stupid thing to do," he said, commenting on EU top diplomat Josep Borrell’s upcoming visit to Russia.

The Kremlin spokesman pointed out that the Russian authorities were looking forward to meeting with the EU top diplomat "because relations between Russia and the European Union are suspended for no reason." "Moscow certainly would like relations to return to normal and progress in the interests of both EU countries and Russia," Peskov said, adding: "We are ready to do everything for that."

On possible meeting between Borrell and Navalny

The decision whether a meeting between Borrell and Navalny can be made by court and not the Kremlin, Peskov said.

"We cannot consider this meeting possible or impossible. It is not our prerogative. We do not make such decisions. These decisions are made by investigators and judges, differently in different situations," he said when asked if Kremlin believes that Borrell’s wish to meet Navalny can be granted.

The spokesman stressed that any requests of the sort will be referred by the Foreign Ministry to courts and investigative agencies. At the same time, he said that he sees virtually no grounds for Borrell to visit Navalny. "They are not relatives, they don’t know each other, they are nobody [to each other]," he said, underlining that it is not up to the Kremlin to voice its opinions on this issue.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell will pay a visit to Moscow between February 4 and 6. The chief diplomat is planning to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the bilateral relations, measures to fight the pandemic, the Iranian nuclear deal, the conflict in Ukraine as well as Navalny’s arrest.

Military operation in Ukraine

Eleven Russians dead, 48 injured in Ukrainian strikes over week

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Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

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Chinese car plant to start production at former Mercedes site in Moscow region in May

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Scientists raise concerns over Fukushima radiation spreading to Kuril waters

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Repaired strategic bomber Tu-22M3 re-enters service with Russia’s Aerospace Force

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North Korea stages first combined tactical drill simulating nuclear counterattack — KCNA

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Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

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Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

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US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 14 times in past day

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Russian troops level off frontline near Kremennaya in LPR for further advance

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Tobias Billstrom deemed adopting the 14th sanctions package "one of the most important things"

Russia's eyes open to nature of US sanctions — Kremlin

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The yuan added to 12.851 rubles

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Moldova punishing Gagauzia for refusal to call Russia aggressor — Gagauz leader

We have always been standing and will continue to stand for friendly relations with Russia, Yevgenia Gutsul said

Russia expects Xi Jinping to attend BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

On January 1, Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the BRICS group of nations, which currently brings together ten states

Pobeda bloc expects global community to respond to struggle against opposition in Moldova

The opposition suggests that Moldovan President Maia Sandu is behind the law enforcement officers’ actions

Builders from Azerbaijan participate in BAM upgrade — Putin

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Damage to TV tower in Kharkov causes problems with digital TV signal

Earlier, Ukrainian media reported an explosion in Kharkov, which was cofirmed later by Mayor Igor Terekhov

Gagauzian leader on unity of Moldova’s opposition, ability to watch Russian TV channels

Yevgenia Gutsul underlined that Gagauzia plans to start exporting products to Russia in the near future

Russian economy to see serious structural changes — presidential aide

"The first one is the technology agenda, the very large one, with huge demands for our own small, medium and large solutions," Maxim Oreshkin said

WADA explains difference between Valieva’s case and Chinese swimmers’ violations

The fundamental point is that in the Valieva case there was nothing to exclude that that was the end of an excretion, that the pharmacological dose of trimetazidine hadn't been taken several days before

Involvement of NATO states prolongs Ukrainian conflict — Russian ambassador to Germany

"Ukraine today is fully dependent on supplies of Western weapons, military hardware, ammunition, financing, intelligence, and assistance from military advisers," Sergey Nechayev said

Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

Military commanders of Ukrainian army brigades "lack both personnel and the required amount of equipment" while Russian troops enjoy a considerable superiority, especially in artillery, Sergey Krivonos noted

Almaz-Antey adapts air defense launchers for various missiles

Russian air defense launchers have a bigger range than US Patriot in Ukraine, Sergey Druzin said

Conflict in Ukraine can be over by end of 2025, Hungary’s Orban believes

Prime Minister said that it is possible if proponents of peace, not war, win the June elections to the European Parliament and the US Presidential elections in November

Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 22nd

Transport National Project funding estimated at over $109.2 bln by 2030

"The greater portion is railroad projects - 60%," Russian Deputy Transport Minister Valentin Ivanov said

Army officer some media point to as Nord Stream blasts coordinator goes missing in Ukraine

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Hamas leader wants to see Russia, Egypt, Turkey as guarantor countries for Gaza

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Liberation of Novomikhailovka brings closer encirclement of Ugledar, says DPR official

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West balancing on edge of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers — Lavrov

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Russian peacekeepers leave Karabakh after Yerevan recognizes Baku’s state borders — Peskov

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The level of water grew by 69 cm in 24 hours

Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

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NATO, Poland made no decision on deployment of nuclear weapons — Andrzej Duda

Polish President pointed out that this issue is being raised during his meetings with NATO partners from time to time

Knauf to transfer its Russian business to local management — company

To complete the transaction, the German company is yet to receive the approval from Russian authorities