Brussels, 8 February 2021 - "We strongly condemn the recent decision by the Russian Federation to expel from the country three EU diplomats, respectively from Germany, Poland and Sweden. The expulsion of those diplomats is utterly unjustified and runs counter to the letter and spirit of the Vienna convention, which explicitly allows diplomats to ascertain by all lawful means conditions and developments in the receiving State, and report thereon to the Government of the sending State.
We therefore urge the Russian Federation to respect international law and reverse its decision. A failure to do so would be yet another signal of the will of the Russian Federation to disrespect the international commitments it has freely assumed.
In this respect, we ask all EU Member States to show maximum solidarity with Germany, Poland and Sweden and take all appropriate steps to show the cohesiveness and strength of our Union." [...]
Brussels, 4 September 2020 - "The findings, recently announced by the German government, that specialists have confirmed unequivocal evidence that Mr Alexei Navalny has been poisoned with a chemical nerve-agent (Novichok), and the fact that his health remains in a serious condition at the Charité hospital in Berlin, are very disturbing news.
We call on the Russian authorities to launch immediately a transparent investigation to punish severely the perpetrators and organisers of this horrible crime, which is projected also over the numerous Russian citizens supporting Mr Navalny and his initiatives. [...]