European Union Discusses Sanctions on Russia Over Navalny's Sudden Death

European Union (EU) foreign ministers began discussions on the 19th (local time) to respond to the sudden death of Russian anti-government activist Alexei Navalny in prison.

Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told reporters before the foreign ministers' meeting held in Brussels, Belgium, that morning, "Member states are expected to propose new sanctions (against Russia)." He added that the official name of the EU's human rights violation sanctions program will be changed to the "Navalny Human Rights Violation Sanctions" to honor Navalny's death.

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, is also scheduled to attend the meeting in person that day. High Representative Borrell emphasized, "Navalny's wife will attend the meeting directly to send a political message together with EU ministers," and added, "We must continue to support Russians who want to live freely." Upon receiving the sad news while attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany on the 16th, Navalnaya gave an unscheduled speech, saying, "Putin and everyone around him, Putin's friends, and his government will be held accountable for what they have done to our country, my family, and my husband."