The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is surprised by the assessments given by the head of the EU diplomatic mission, Josep Borrell, after his visit to Moscow. This is stated in a statement by the department made on Monday, February 8.
Borrell’s assessments differ from his previous statements, which he gave at a press conference in the Russian capital. At the same time, the Russian side commented on the results of the negotiations in the presence of the diplomat, the ministry stressed.
“Perhaps, upon arrival in Brussels, the head of Eurodiplomacy was explained how it was necessary to place accents, but then this only confirms how and by whom the EU policy is actually formed,” he quotes from the TASS Foreign Ministry statement.
Borrell’s statement appeared on the European External Action Service website on Saturday 6 February. In it, he claims that Moscow has no interest in normalizing relations with Europe, as evidenced by the expulsion of EU diplomats right during the visit.
Borrell’s visit to Moscow took place on February 4-6. The head of EU diplomacy met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian public organizations.
On February 5, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared three diplomats of the embassies of Germany, Sweden and Poland persona non grata in connection with their participation in illegal actions in the country.
The Russian department emphasized that such actions on the part of employees of diplomatic missions are unacceptable and do not correspond to their diplomatic status. They were ordered to leave the territory of the Russian Federation in the near future.
In turn, the representative of the EU foreign policy Peter Stano said that Brussels urges Moscow to reconsider the decision.