BRUSSELS – The European Union is set to impose new sanctions on Russian officials for the imprisonment of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and intends to discuss measures to challenge Beijing against its repression in Hong Kong, signaling a change in the bloc’s position on the two countries.
A handful of Russian officials are to be hit by the asset freeze and travel bans on the Navalny case, diplomats said. The sanctions, expected to be finalized in March, will be the first use of the new EU framework on human rights sanctions, similar to the US Magnitsky Act.
EU foreign ministers and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held two-hour talks on Monday, discussing the Biden administration’s goal of working closely with European allies on challenges, including China’s growth and the nuclear deal with Iran.
EU officials, while stressing the independence of foreign policy, have signaled that they will align with the US on sensitive issues since President Biden took office. A confidential EU paper on Hong Kong, released last week and seen by The Wall Street Journal, supports greater co-operation with the US and other allies under pressure from China.
Support for sanctions on Russia has grown rapidly following a tense trip to Moscow by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Mr Borrell said Monday before the meeting that “it is clear that Russia is on the verge of confronting the European Union”.