The Kremlin: Russia should prepare if the European Union imposes sanctions on it

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia must prepare for European Union sanctions over the imprisonment of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.

Three European diplomats told Reuters on Thursday that the bloc will likely impose travel bans and asset freezes on allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, possibly this month.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that his country is ready to cut ties with the European Union if it imposes sanctions that threaten its economy as a result of new tensions between the two parties, following the imprisonment of opposition Alexei Navalny and the suppression of protests organized by his supporters.

Lavrov said in a press interview on Friday on the Foreign Ministry’s website that there is a possibility to cut ties with the European Union if Brussels pushes in the direction of tough sanctions.

In response to a question about the possibility of taking such a step, the minister replied, “Yes, we are ready to do so even though we do not want to be isolated from international life. If you want peace, prepare for war. ”

Russian authorities arrested Navalny last month upon his return to Russia after trying to poison him last year.

Navalny, 44, accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of giving orders to poison him, but the Kremlin denies this.