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EU foreign policy doesn’t rule out more anti-Russian sanctions over human rights situation

According to the EU foreign policy chief, "human rights issues and fundamental freedoms, and in particular the case of Alexei Navalny were very much at the centre" of his talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

© Ministry of Internal Affairs/TASS

BRUSSELS, February 7. /TASS/. The European Union may use the recently established human’s rights sanctions regime to impose more sanctions against Russia over the situation around Alexei Navalny, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell wrote on his personal blog on Sunday after a visit to Moscow.

"We will discuss these issues with my fellow EU foreign ministers [on February 22]. As ever, it will be for member states to decide the next steps, and yes, these could include sanctions. And we also have another tool in this respect, thanks to the recently approved EU human’s rights sanctions regime," he wrote.

According to the EU foreign policy chief, "human rights issues and fundamental freedoms, and in particular the case of Alexei Navalny were very much at the centre" of his visit to Moscow and his talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "At times, the discussion with my Russian counterpart reached high levels of tension, as I called for Mr. Navalny’s immediate and unconditional release, as well as for a full and impartial investigation into his assassination attempt," he wrote. "I reminded Minister Lavrov that Russia’s obligations in the field of human rights stem from international commitments it has freely assumed (i.e. the European Convention on Human Rights of the Council of Europe), and cannot therefore be discarded as interference in internal affairs."

"My team had contacts with Mr. Navalny’s close circle to signify our support. Unfortunately, I could not meet him as he was standing trial during my visit. I further expressed EU support to human rights and political freedoms by paying tribute to Boris Nemtsov, a leading opposition figure, at the bridge where he was murdered six years ago," he recalled.

Borrell visited Russia on February 4 through 6. He tweeted after the visit that he had had "open and frank debates" on all aspects of Russia-EU relations, from the anti-coronavirus efforts, global climate change, and the situation around the Iran nuclear deal to the gaps in the positions on Ukraine, Brussel’s support to Navalny, and its opinion about Russia’s expelling European diplomats who had attended unauthorized protests in Russia.

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Putin says Oreshnik missile system cutting-edge innovation by Russia, not Soviet byproduct

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US not seeking confrontation with Russia, but will continue assistance to Kiev — Pentagon

Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also claimed that Washington, while helping Ukraine, is not attempting to turn the conflict into a large-scale regional confrontation that spills beyond the country’s borders

Washington has no plans of updating nuclear posture after Russia’s test of new missile

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Russian ambassador says UK prime minister doesn’t understand situation in Ukraine

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Biden's decision on missile strikes on Russia is his 'last gasp' — Japanese lawmaker

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NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

Col. (Ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson confirmed to TASS that the launch of ATACMS missiles would be impossible without "US/NATO satellite feeds and/or personnel"

Enemy has no countermeasures for Russia’s Oreshnik missile — Putin

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Putin’s recent statements reflect long-standing policy, expert says

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US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

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Russia to hold informal UN Security Council meeting on unilateral restrictions

It will be held on November 25

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Viktor Orban recalled that Russia has "one of the most powerful armies in the world, which boasts the most advanced, most powerful weapons"

Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

According to the politician, Western nations need to understand that they are fighting on Ukraine’s side

Western countries should 'be afraid, tremble' after Putin's statement — lawmaker

Andrey Kartapolov added that the special military operation in Ukraine "will continue its course until all tasks are completed"

Bundeswehr prepares plan for Operation Germany in case of war with Russia — newspaper

According to it, the 1,000-page "Operation Germany" plan lists all infrastructure facilities that deserve special protection, and also contains a procedure for defense or "measures to deter Russia on NATO’s eastern flank"

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Russia entitled to use weapons against military sites of states attacking it — Duma

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West builds up military presence near Russia’s Arctic borders — presidential aide

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China urges restraint after Russia, Ukraine's exchange of attacks — foreign ministry

Lin Jian also reaffirmed Beijing's position on the Ukrainian issue

Biden slams ‘outrageous’ International Criminal Court warrants for Israeli leaders

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World has not seen such chaos, brutality since World War II — Kim Jong Un

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Signal to West and 'red card': experts weigh in on Putin’s missile launch statements

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West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

Russian air defenses repulsed all attacks, the Russian president said

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Russia's Oreshnik missile poses significant threat to West, Turkish expert warns

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Russia’s Oreshnik has no analogues worldwide — Putin

"We know what kind of developments are being carried out there, but this will happen tomorrow or in a year or two, but we have such a system already today," the president said

Putin stays open to contacts to reach 'peaceful track' — Kremlin

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Zelensky fine with conflict continuing due to Western help — Slovak PM

Robert Fico pointed out that "more and more evidence show that the West seeks to prolong the war in Ukraine for various reasons"

Internet shutdown possible in Belarus if events of August 2020 recur, Lukashenko says

Belarus faced widespread disruptions to mobile Internet access in 2020 due to the protests that erupted across the country

Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

"Based on the tasks and the range of this weapon, it can hit targets across entire Europe, which sets it apart from other high-precision long-range weapons," Sergey Karakayev said

Kremlin confident Putin's statement got through to US administration

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Bulgarian politician sees Oreshnik missile strike as wake-up call for peace

"European politicians need to think twice about what they do next, especially since Donald Trump, who will take office in two months, replacing the current White House occupant, has already expressed his commitment to the policy of peace," Krasimir Karakachanov said

Russia uses aerial bombs to destroy Ukrainian positions near DPR’s Konstantinovka — source

According to the report, at least 15 Ukrainian servicemen were killed as a result of the attack

Russia not obliged to notify anyone about launch of intermediate-range missile — Kremlin

"No, there have been no notifications, for Russia has no such obligation with regard to intermediate-range missiles," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Putin warns West that Russia can respond to any turn of events

"There will always be an answer," the president said

US decision to allow missile strikes deep into Russia fuels global escalation — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also rejected the belief that this escalation would not impact "those living far away, in Spain, England, or America"

Russia hit Ukrainian military-industrial facility in response to use of Western missiles

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Andrey Belousov stressed that Russian troops have accelerated their advance in the special military operation zone and have effectively disrupted Kiev's 2025 military campaign

China holds US responsible for disrupted defense ministers' meeting in Laos

Wu Qian stated that the United States must immediately correct its mistakes, "honestly respect China’s main interests, and seek to create favorable conditions for high-level contacts between the military of the two countries"

Russian embassy warns UK about dangers of calling for Moscow’s ‘defeat’

According to th statement, London is promoting new rounds of escalation

Weapons supplied to Ukraine cannot reach Russian territory, Spanish defense minister says

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Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

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Oreshnik missile to go into serial production, Putin says

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Russian troops destroy Ukrainian fortification in LPR’s Makeyevka, strengthen positions

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Maria Zakharova quoted the US Senator, who called the ICC a "Kangaroo court" and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic"

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Oreshnik test aims to persuade West to avoid escalation in Ukraine — media

According to the report, the use of Oreshnik has become "part of a new era of missile warfare"

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Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 22nd

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"Democratic institutions in the country have been destroyed, rendering dialogue between the government and the people impossible," Viktor Medvedchuk said

US, West have no capabilities to intercept new Russian hypersonic missile — expert

"There is more in the Russian arsenal than many believe," said Karin Kneissl, the former Foreign Minister of Austria

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The company stated it would seek damages amounting to 230 million euro for failing to receive the contracted volume of gas from the Russian company for delivery to Germany

Biden’s actions on Ukraine meant to 'muck things up' for Trump — Lavrov

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Trump seeks to restore peace in entire world — transition team on Putin’s address

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Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

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Putin's speech shows West that Russia won’t waver, is ready for any scenario — expert

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West irrational, fails to understand it cannot intercept Russia's new missiles — Kneissl

The former Austrian foreign minister stressed that she "counted on rational Western decision-makers, but irrationality is unfortunately on the rise among them"

Russia fires ballistic, non-nuclear-tipped missile at Ukrainian aerospace plant — Putin

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Ukraine should consider territorial concessions to Russia in return for peace — magazine

Foreign Policy pointed out that Western officials should stop insisting in public speeches on the need to achieve a strategic defeat for Russia

Iran begins installation of three new generations of centrifuges to enrich uranium — TV

The decision was reportedly made in response to the anti-Iran resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency

North Korean leader warns of growing risk of nuclear war — KCNA

Kim Jong Un added that negotiations with the US only confirmed the North Korean view that Washington’s hostile policy remains unchanged

Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia

Putin’s remarks on hypersonic missiles send serious warning to West — Turkish politician

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Russian military to warn Ukrainian civilians of future Oreshnik attacks — Kremlin

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Belarusian president believes humanity is on the brink of World War III

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US forces strike Houthi sites with seaborne missiles — TV

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China against double standards in international law — Foreign Ministry

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Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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German politician slams Ukraine’s ‘irresponsible’ strike on Russia with UK-made missiles

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Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

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Western air defense systems unlikely to intercept Russian missiles — France’s Le Monde

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Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

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Captives, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

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US administration chooses to escalate Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

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Ukraine was warned about possible missile strike — Pentagon

Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh gave no answer to the question of how could Ukraine prepare for this kind of attack

Ukrainian conflict acquires global elements after strikes with Western missiles — Putin

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NATO deployment to Ukraine would mark its entry into the war, Russian diplomat warns

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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Moscow hopes West will thoroughly analyze Russia's nuclear doctrine — ambassador

Andrey Kelin also recalled that the policy of the Russian leadership enjoys the full support and confidence of the country's population

Russian army pushes Ukraine out of Kurakhovo water reservoir’s north shore

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Russia interested in security of Baltic undersea infrastructure — embassy in Denmark

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Kremlin clarifies notification process for Oreshnik missile launch

"An automated warning was sent 30 minutes before the launch," Dmitry Peskov said

Japanese government refrains from commenting on Russia’s latest hypersonic missile

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Russian air defense deflects attacks with Western missiles — Putin

"As a result, the goals that the enemy apparently set have not been achieved," the Russian leader said

Russia’s re-election to UNCITRAL confirms its global reputation — Foreign Ministry

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Tehran to launch new centrifuges in response to IAEA anti-Iran resolution — statement

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US admiral says Washington should be ready for talks with Russia, China

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German chancellor reiterates decision not to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine

Olaf Scholz stated that only the Social Democratic Party of Germany could maintain a balance between caution and clear support for Ukraine

West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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Zelensky to have no input if Russia, US negotiate, ex-Prime Minister says

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Russia hammers Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, energy sites over week

Russian forces liberated seven communities in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Ex-German chancellor never expected Russia to tolerate Ukraine’s NATO membership — memoir

Angela Merkel added that another fallacy was the belief that the status "would act as a deterrent," and that Moscow "would accept these developments without taking action"