BRUSSELS – The European Union plans to impose new sanctions on Russian officials over the imprisonment of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and plans to discuss measures to challenge Beijing over the crackdown in Hong Kong, signaling a shift in the bloc’s position against the two countries in the direction of the US’s.
A handful of Russian officials will be hit by asset freezes and travel bans over the Navalny case, diplomats said. The sanctions, expected to be finalized in March, will be the first use of the new EU human rights sanctions framework, similar to the US Magnitsky Act.
EU Foreign Ministers and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held two hours of talks Monday on the Biden administration’s goal to work closely with European allies on challenges including the rise of China and the nuclear deal with Iran.
While EU officials have emphasized their independence on foreign policy, since President Biden took office, they have shown signs of joining the US on sensitive issues. A confidential EU document on Hong Kong, circulated last week and seen by The Wall Street Journal, calls for greater cooperation with the US and other allies to put pressure on China.
Support for sanctions on Russia has grown rapidly after an exciting trip to Moscow by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Mr Borrell said on Monday ahead of the meeting that “it is clear that Russia is on a confrontational course with the European Union.”