Tense Russian-European relations over the poisoning of Navalny

The European Union has imposed sanctions on senior Russian officials close to President Vladimir Putin for poisoning Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny.

Accordingly, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of Germany, Sweden and France in Moscow, Tuesday.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons confirmed that a substance similar to Novichok with a military use was found in samples of the famous Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who was transferred to Berlin in a serious condition after being suspected of being poisoned, and this led to an increase in suspicions surrounding Russia, in addition to international calls for clarification.

Germany said, in a firm statement, that sanctions against Russia "cannot be avoided" unless explanations are provided regarding Navalny's poisoning.

Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, said that gradual and specific sanctions would be imposed on Russian officials if Moscow did not provide sufficient and adequate information to explain what happened.

And specialized laboratories in Germany, France and Sweden have already determined that Navalny, 44, who is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's staunch opponents, was a victim of a Novichok neurotoxin, which Moscow immediately denied.

Alexei is currently in a recovery period in Germany with his family, a month after receiving care in Berlin and leaving hospital on September 23.

T/S

ANHA