OREANDA-NEWS. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for the introduction of new sanctions against Russia after two decisions of Russian courts on the opposition politician Alexei Navalny.

«After the poisoning of Navalny, we made it clear, that we do not intend to put up with the destruction of international law, and imposed sanctions», the head of the German Foreign Ministry said on Monday, February 22, at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

Mas said, that he supports the development of restrictive measures against individuals, including a ban on their entry to the European Union and the blocking of their assets.

«At the same time, we must look for ways to stay in dialogue with Russia», the German minister stressed, adding that the Russian Federation is necessary for the European Union to jointly resolve many international conflicts.

The foreign ministers of the EU countries intend to make a decision in principle on sanctions against Russia at the meeting. Their specific content will be developed later. For the first time, the European Union plans to apply the new sanctions regime approved in December 2020 for gross violations of human rights around the world.