The United States and the European Union plan to impose sanctions on Russia

The United States and the European Union are expected to impose integrated sanctions on Russia early Tuesday Poison of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny When he was arrested and detained, three sources who knew the plan well said.

Sources spoke anonymously as they did not have the authority to speak to the media.

Sanctions will first target Moscow Joe Biden Became president and opened a comprehensive review of US-Russia policy, including the Kremlin’s actions against Navalny, his involvement in the US election, The solar wind blows And report Credits to Taliban-affiliated groups To target US forces in Afghanistan.

The Trump administration has refused to take action against Russia for this Attempted assassination Of Navalny.

A senior executive, an aide to Congress and a Western ambassador said in August that the United States was expected to use law enforcement to impose sanctions on Russia over its use of the chemical nerve agent against Navalny.

Toxic tests conducted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in Germany, France and Sweden have found that Navalny possessed poison with a new form Novichok Nerve Agent Is in violation of the International Chemical Weapons Convention. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the attack.

Upon his return to Russia in January, Navalny was arrested and sentenced to more than two years in prison. He has been Transferred to a penal colony Several days ago.

The EU has taken action against Russia for poisoning Navalny, banning travel and freezing the assets of six Russians in October, but this week’s sanctions are the first to be issued under the EU’s new human rights regime.

EU Foreign Minister Joseph Borel said Atlantic Council Last week, Secretary of State Anthony Blingen called on the European Union to work with the United States on new sanctions. The EU’s practical vote on the formal adoption of sanctions will end at noon in Brussels on Tuesday.

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“I do not want to talk about any of the steps we can take, but suffice it to say that we are very closely coordinated,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Netflix did not elaborate on Monday on cooperation between the United States and EU prices. .

A Investigation UN experts released on Monday found that the attack on Navalny had been going on for decades and that Russian citizens and government critics had been subjected to arbitrary and attempted assassinations inside and outside Russia.

On Tuesday, the Kremlin said that any new sanctions on Navalny would not achieve their goal and would help worsen already weakened relations.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said how Russia would respond.

“No one is repealing one of the rules of diplomacy – mutually,” Lavrov said.

Abigail Williams

Abigail Williams is a producer and reporter for NBC News, which covers the State Department.

Carol E. Lee

Carol E. Lee is an NBC news reporter.

Andrea Mitchell

Andrea Mitchell is Washington’s chief correspondent and chief foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Tatiana Chistikova Contributed.