international breaking news coming in the last few hours russian foreign minister sergey lavrov saying moscow is ready to break up with the e.u. if it imposes new sanctions that harm key sectors of the country's economy. when we don't go those who will see will so use them when are we heading for severed ties with the e.u. we're just saying they were ready to do this if we see once again like we've seen numerous times before that brussels imposes sanctions that post risks to our economy specifically to the most sensitive sectors once again we don't want to distance ourselves from the international community but we need to be ready for this if you want peace prepare to war. it goes down of a correspondence cross this story today eagle some tough words on the face of it from the foreign minister strongly worded statement i suppose meant to draw a very firm line in the sand that attitudes have to change and change quickly as far as the use concerned absolutely basically sergey lavrov opens his hand and says this is what we're going to do if you go through with your plan to impose sanction

the afternoon here in moscow so 1st off our top story breaking news the russian foreign minister sergei lavrov the said moscow is ready to break up with the e.u. if it imposes new sanctions that could harm key sectors of the country's economy. when we don't go to the loo we'll see will so use of ways are we heading for severed ties with the e.u. we're just saying they were ready to do this if we see once again like we've seen numerous times before that brussels imposes sanctions that post risks to our economy specifically to the most sensitive sectors once again we don't want to distance ourselves from the international community but we need to be ready for this if you want peace prepare to war frustrated a lover of the foreign minister igor down i'm sure let me know on this to put it in context may not be all it seems but certainly huge frustration when across the color line in the sand that the e.u. has to change its attitudes and quickly well absolutely it is a very strong message essentially sergei lavrov is saying that russia won't be bullied into anything won't be bullied it into submiss

strong words that it goes down of a correspondence across and this morning strong words from sergei lavrov of course the last thing russia wants to do is split up with anyone in the world wants relations to be good with everybody but there's a real sense of frustration here this really comes to the head of lay between russia and its neighbor what's been going on than well absolutely kevin and keep in mind the circle of of he is a veteran of diplomacy but here he puts it in the simplest possible terms and basically the message here is that russia while it is as you say russia wants to keep great relations with everybody but it won't be bullied into well anything into making any decisions that it feels uncomfortable with so it comes just after we after the e.u. 04 in the policy chief joseph burrell he came to moscow and the visit was rather remarkable about point and i was just but it was just business as usual it was it came by just as expected some closing statements from both from both sergey lavrov and joe's a barrel but when he came back to the e.u. when he returned his visit to moscow

an hour to international policy chief joseph goodell holds talks with russia's foreign minister sergey lavrov in moscow. also this joe biden claims diplomacy is back in his 1st foreign policy speech but he didn't sound too diplomatic when it came to russia and also to come a twist in the harry dunn case is a court case that the u.s. woman who killed the british teenager was working for an intelligence agency at the time of the incident. good afternoon watching out international just on 2 o'clock in the russian capital now the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov and the foreign policy chief but i'll have just finished giving a wide ranging press conference in moscow so let's go now to correspond. in moscow who is covering the event for us just to get free some of the key points. just run through then it was a lengthy press conference wasn't and a lot was said but what were the key elements andrew good afternoon well 1st of all like to point out that this is the 1st visit to moscow of europe's top diplomat and this is definitely a sign that during these 3 years relations work cold to say the

are the good evening of watching the international the russian foreign minister sergei lavrov has warned that more sco is ready to break ties with the e.u. if it imposes new sanctions that harm key sectors of the country's economy with more his cause you don. or you will still wish to go to us we're just saying that we're ready to do this if we see once again like lucy numerous times before the brussels imposes sanctions that pose restore economy specifically to the most sensitive sicked is once again we don't want to distance ourselves from the international community but we need to be ready for this issue if you want peace prepare for war. well it is a pretty straightforward message especially coming from a veteran diplomat which serve certainly is but here the russian foreign minister he's rather showing his hand he's explaining what will happen if the e.u. decides to follow through with a plan to impose new sanctions and if these sanctions are crippling to any of the key sectors of russia's economy world this is what will happen but again moscow has already confirmed that it will not

there are some opportunities for cooperation during his meeting with russia's foreign minister sergey lavrov the e.u. representative you know several said the russian vaccine sputnik movie was just one of them but neither side has any illusions about the low point their relations have hit and the elephant in the room is alex enough i think respect they have conveyed to me. created. to release on the launch. of a piece by. russia's foreign minister argues the e.u. is behaving more and more like the us always threatening with new sanctions. with but. we've become accustomed to these unilateral and illegitimate measures and we have adjusted our positions accordingly we assume that the e.u. is no longer a reliable partner. but. elsewhere in moscow journalists waited outside a district court during a hearing in another trial against me he is accused of slandering a war veteran for rail reportedly had sought a meeting with the kremlin critic but it's unclear whether he will be able to see him before his departure on saturday. well these expulsions overshadowed a virtual defense and security counci

yeah that's a that's a threat that sergey lavrov made a few days ago and he has walked that back a little bit it's highly unlikely that russia would break all ties with the european union it can't afford to do so financially to be honest it may make some more steps in that direction politically i mean remember when joseph bruno was there in moscow they kicked out 3 diplomats simply for being president prone of all the demonstrations so there may be more moves like that in an effort to show the european union moscow's displeasure with these moves but it's highly unlikely that we'll see a full cut off of top in ties that said you never know with the kremlin you never know with president putin and i'm certain that there will be some some strong arm tactics to try to convince the e.u. not to make more moves in this direction however again the supporters have 35 names on this list and only 4 are likely to be on this so you know you have to balance who really won here involve the supporters will be happy that any names are being sanctioned for human rights abuses but the kremlin can also say yo

yeah that's a that's a threat that sergey lavrov made a few days ago and he has walked that back a little bit it's highly unlikely that russia would break all ties with the european union it can't afford to do so financially to be honest it may make some more steps in that direction politically i mean remember when joseph bruno was there in moscow they kicked out 3 diplomats simply for being president of all the demonstrations so there may be more moves like that in an effort to show the european union moscow's displeasure with these moves but it's highly unlikely that we'll see a full cut off of tuck in ties that said you never know with the kremlin you never know with president putin and i'm certain that there will be some some strong arm tactics to try to convince the e.u. not to make more moves in this direction however again that novell new supporters have 35 names on this list and only 4 are likely to be on this ancient so you know you have to balance who really won here involving supporters will be happy that any names are being sanctioned for human rights abuses but the kremlin ca

well the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov lavrov and also those up already today in their press conference that there is that some fields of agreement and some things with russia and europe can work together for example when it comes to climate change to energy supplies to the development of new renewable energies and such things and they also have to work together in international crisis like iran russia is part of this iran treaty the argument the nuclear treaty russia is needed when it comes to syria to libya to yemen to many fields so that some common interests also between russia and the european union but it looks very dire right now to italy correspondent bad bigoted brussels thank you. to the world of literature now and the american writer t.c. boyle he often bases the extraordinary characters in his books on real people his latest novel talk to me is no exception it's about a professor who does the talk shows with a chimpanzee that understands language like all the guests athena cable back with boyle to talk about books apes and coronavirus. the best selling author t.c.

official since 2070 these talks with foreign minister sergey lavrov came in with debate about whether a u. countries should impose new sanctions on russia of the jailing of opposition leader alexei in the valley in the crackdown on his supporters both sides acknowledged but what burrell described as a low point in relations over the last 2 years our relations have been mark by from the mental differences from a lack of trust. we are seeing huge other more than a competitor of reichl rather than a partner so you. we proceed from the assumption that the e.u. at this stage is an unreliable partner and i hope that the strategic review that takes place soon will focus on the key interests of the e.u. and that these talks help make out contacts more constructive but as soon as those talks wrapped up moscow and i'm state was expanding diplomats from e.u. countries including germany accusing them of taking part in illegal protests outside alexina valley's court sentencing earlier this week german chancellor angela merkel speaking at a video conference with french president emmanuel macro cond

foreign policy chief and the russian foreign minister sergei lavrov the press conference began with a warm with words of how much it's important to rebuild trust between the u.n. russia how much it's important to work together and at one point mr allowed even said that if the relations between the e.u. and moscow deteriorate in any way that could lead to a tragedy with unpredictable consequences so there you have it it was a good start there was plenty of optimism there was more. we could see that they could come back to joint work. there could be more business handshakes between brussels and moscow when the european top diplomat praised russia's sport think the vaccine it's. just i believe we cannot but i can tell you that very quickly after the smiles we could see a bit more tension in that room because. this conversation quickly started to resemble some of the conversation between the western and russian diplomats that we have been used to seeing it looks like a game of ping pong with accusations being thrown at each other. we know that the european top diplomat joined the chorus o

meeting with the use foreign policy chief joseph burrell and even moscow some about a week ago sergei lavrov clarified moscow's and reiterated moscow's position that the if these swap at the swapping of the suspended sentence for a real one for lex in a valley it's an internal matter but at the same time jos a burrell called on russia to release the kremlin critic and world saying that this case is politically motivated is politically charged and according to sergei lavrov the e.u. diplomats in including jos are borel they are being strong armed into a tough into an unreasonably tough position on russia and essentially they are stripped the ability and the opportunity to do their job of diplomacy or goodness knows where you're. sure to travel to us knowing the complicated situation many were against his visit and publicly declared that he shouldn't come to russia until we quote flix al behavior not only e.u. foreign policy chief burrell but also his. predisposes do not have the capacity to negotiate the whole you point of view was focused on the idea that we turned miss novell me into a poli

going to work in moscow now let's start with that breaking news that the russian foreign minister sergei lavrov has warned that moscow is ready to break up with you if it imposes new sanctions that key sectors of the country's economy. lou don't go to the loo. are we heading for severed ties with the e.u. we're just saying they were ready to do this if we see once again like we've seen numerous times before that brussels imposes sanctions that post risks to our economy specifically to the most sensitive sectors once again we don't want to distance ourselves from the international community but we need to be ready for this if you want peace prepare to war. ok let's get more done if he joins me in. a very strongly worded statement there that is effectively saying enough is enough well it is a very blatant statement for a veteran diplomat excuse me which certainly is but basically here the russian top diplomat he is responding to a prospect of new sanctions being imposed on russia over the case over the jailing of alexina valmy the opposition figure and a prominent kremlin critic essentially the k

official since 2017 his talks with foreign minister sergey lavrov came amid debate about whether a u. countries should impose new sanctions on russia over the jailing of opposition leader elect saying the valley and the crackdown on his supporters both sides ignored it but what burrell described as a low point in relations over the last 2 years our relations have been mark by from the mental differences from a lack of trust we have seen you turn a more than a competitor of reichl rather than a partner and we saw you. we were still we proceed from the assumption that the e.u. at this stage is an unreliable partner and i hope that the strategic review that takes place soon will focus on the key interests of the e.u. and that these talks help make out contacts more constructive but as soon as those talks wrapped up moscow in arms that was expanding diplomats from a u. countries including germany accusing them of taking part in illegal protests outside alexina valley's court sentencing earlier this week german chancellor angela merkel speaking at a video conference with french president e

you're watching out international it's just come 4 o'clock in moscow russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov and the foreign policy chief just at but i'll have been meeting in moscow and discussed a number of topics to you from the valley to russia's covert faxing sputnik face let's get the lowdown with frank he was covering things and it seemed to be a meeting of. cold depending on the topic. good afternoon andrew that's true well i can tell you that the press conference that happened after the 1st visit of the top diplomat to moscow in 3 years began with warmth with words how important it is to build trust between brussels and moscow how important it is to work together at one point the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov even said that if the ties between the 2 sides get any worse that would lead to a disaster with absolutely unpredictable consequences well that was a good start and there was even more optimism for joint work for more business handshakes between moscow and european countries when joe's of barreled praised russia's sport think the vaccine. thing and now i am hoping that

holds talks with russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov in moscow. joe biden claims diplomacy is back in his 1st foreign policy speech but he didn't sign too diplomatic to russia had also to come a twist in the hari dunn case is a court is that the u.s. woman who killed the british teenager was working for an intelligence agency at the time of the incident.

afternoon watching out international just gone 3 o'clock in moscow now the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov and the used foreign policy chief have just finished giving a wide ranging press conference in moscow so let's get more details on this now and talk with our correspondent who's following it for us a. lengthy press conference many issues covered but what were the main elements and the key issues that were. andrew good afternoon well the 1st press conference after the 1st visit of the top diplomat to russia in 3 years began with warmth with words how much the 2 sides need to build trust start renewed dialogue at one point even said that the 2 sides just cannot accept a situation in which the thais deteriorate even further because otherwise that would leave too and pretty unpredictable consequences and a true disaster so that was perhaps a good start and that was something that led to even more off to ms and more hopes for further business handshakes between brussels and moscow when at one point the e.u. top diplomat praised russia's sputnik vaccine and said that he hopes it could be us

so this kind of falls on top of what russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov said earlier this week in a more in a more blatant you know terms when he had said that well if if the west if europe if the e.u. were to look to cripple russia's economy through sanctions and to cripple russia that this is what putin is saying here what he's talking about that they were trying to undermine russia and this is that this is in their interest this kind of echoes that message of sergei lavrov that if europe to try and seek to cripple russia through sanctions then the russians would have to look into the possibility of cutting ties with the e.u. altogether and there are plenty of examples other than sanctions as to how this how this plays out how europe is just ridiculing all russia's will successes like we look at this but it can be vaccine it was written ridiculed from the get go we didn't get any benefit of the doubt at all that the beginning i think completely critics completely brushed aside all the stories all the positive experiences of those who pioneered and got the job even before the pha

was the block's 1st envoy to visit russia since 2017 his meeting with russian foreign minister sergey lavrov aims to keep lines of communication between brussels and moscow open but tensions continue over the imprisonment of criminal critic alex a novel me. my views are going to charge with arrest and sentencing. and the rest of us with the most traitors. like you can expect i have conveyed to me. i want to concern and great created. release want to launch an investigation of. the e.u. had put additional sanctions on hold and while lover of stressed that russia wanted to improve relations he did not mince words. we have gotten used to the fact as i have already mentioned that the e.u. more and more often uses one sided restrictions which are not based on any legitimacy at this stage we have to assume that the e.u. is an unreliable partner but your. not going with that throughout the visit was barely over when the diplomats were expelled and despite all efforts to improve communication some actions speak louder than words. here's some more the stories making headlines around the world tens of

kremlin critic alexis of all me made the comments during a meeting with russian foreign minister sergei lavrov it is the 1st visit by a senior diplomat since 2017 a site of all the the meetings agenda also included the iran nuclear deal the situation in ukraine and other human rights issues in russia. and here's what the russian foreign minister had to say after the meeting and we will so you these notice that every mr gates we proceed from the assumption that the e.u. at this stage is an unreliable pot. and i hope that the strategic review that takes place soon will focus on the key interests of the e.u. and that these talks help make out contacts more constructive we've seen the border we are ready for it. let's go right to moscow our correspondent and we sure win is standing by for us there hi emily we heard some strong words from the russian foreign minister there is there a place now for constructive dialogue. well this is a clearly a very tense moment in russian relations ahead of this meeting today the kremlin spokesperson to meet the of this course called relations of frozen and it's c

what he got in response was a big shrub from sergei lavrov what he got in response was a big ——shruggedly for attending a pro navalny protest on the 23rd ofjanuary, so the first of a wave of mass rallies across russia calling for mr navalny�*s release. now, of course, the countries involved have said that these are unfounded claims, that there is no truth to them at all, but, you know, it is very strange, very interesting signaling from russia, as i say, at a meeting in which both sides were talking about the difficult relationship but trying to focus, at least to some extent, in the areas in which they could cooperate. russia is expelling diplomats from germany, poland and sweden. sarah rainsford there. to stay with us... stay with us on news, still to come: we'll be speaking to the astronaut, commander chris hadfield, as p0resident biden announces he plans to continue the trump administrations plans to return to the moon. the government has been defending its plans to quarantine people arriving in the uk, in a scheme due to begin in ten days' time. people travelling from countries

part of a campaign of legal harassment directed against them and now russia's foreign minister sergey lavrov has said that moscow is ready to sever ties with the european union other that threaten sanctions let's take a look at what he had to say used to move. if we see again as we have felt more than once sanctions imposed in some areas creates risks to our economy including in the most sensitive spirit is such as supplies of parts and components i'm convinced that with regards to the military we've become completely self-sufficient we need to achieve the same situation in the economy. yes once again we don't want to be isolated from international life when you've got you but we must be ready for that if you want to be prepared for war. group which due to go. some pretty determined words there how serious do you think mr lavrov is about potentially cutting economic ties with the. i wouldn't necessarily blow his comments out of proportion i mean you have to really think of the context that these comments took place and it was on a live broadcast from a russian firebrand journalist by the nam

to gas pipeline between russia and germany a possible target earlier russian foreign minister sergey lavrov threatened to sever ties with europe used. short of if we see again as we have felt more than once sanctions imposed in some areas create risks to our economy including in the most sensitive spheres such as supplies of parts and components i'm convinced that with regards to the military we've become completely self-sufficient we need to achieve the same situation in the economy. yes once again we don't want to be isolated from international life when you get you but we must be ready for that if you want to be prepared for war. group which need to go to school or for more on this sebastian schaeffer is the managing director of the institute for the danube region and central europe a is an expert in a russian relations and he joins us from vienna sebastian welcome sir lab broad sentiments were strongly expressed in the context of diplomacy we must add he used the word war do we now take his words as a real threat to the political status quo. well thank you very much for having me i mean

yeah that's a that's a threat that sergey lavrov made a few days ago and he has walked that back a little bit it's highly unlikely that russia would break all ties with the european union it can't afford to do so financially to be honest it may make some more steps in that direction politically i mean remember when joseph bruno was there in moscow they kicked out 3 diplomats simply for being president of all the demonstrations so there may be more moves like that in an effort to show the european union moscow's displeasure with these moves but it's highly unlikely that we'll see a full cutoff of tongue in ties that said you never know with the kremlin you never know with president putin and i'm certain that there will be some some strong arm tactics to try to convince the e.u. not to make more moves in this direction however again the supporters have 35 names on this list and only 4 are likely to be on this and so you know you have to balance who really won here involving supporters will be happy that any names are being sanctioned for human rights abuses but the kremlin can also say you

hysteria -- that is how russian foreign minister sergei lavrov describes the international outcry overhe jailing of opposition leader alexey navalny. the kremlin has defended the actions against protesters who took to the streets. security forces arrested more than 1400 demonstrators. navalny was sentenced to prison for violating his parole while he was in a coma recovering from a poison attack. >> sharp criticism is the world found out alexey navalny was going to prison. germany condemned navalny's jailing and the police's treatment of protesters. the german government and chancellor personally call for the release of mr. navalny. the kremlin, meanwhile, defended the way the case have been handled. >> the hysteria we have heard over the trial process for the navalny case, is, of course, off the scale. >> navalny had remained defiant in court on tuesday and insisted his jailing would not deter his supporters. "all of these officers and this cage -- it's not a show of strength. it is a display of witnesses. they are weak." later, police arrested hundreds of navalny supporters who have c

during his meeting with sergey lavrov, the representative said the russian vaccine sputnik view was onef them, but neither side has -- the elephant in the room is alexei navalny. >> i convey our deep concern and we have an appeal to his release and an investigation of his poisoning. reporter: russia's foreign minister argues the e.u. is acting more like the u.s., always threatening new sanctions. we have become accustomed to unilateral and illegitimate measures and we have adjusted our positions accordingly. we assume the e.u. is no longer a reliable partner. elsewhere in moscow, journalists waited outside a district court during a hearing in another trial against navalny. he is accused of slandering a war veteran. he reportedly saw it and meeting with the kremlin critic, but it is unsure if he can see him before his departure saturday. phil: those diplomatic expulsions overshadowed a virtual defense of security council meeting between the leaders of germany and france friday afternoon, the first meeting between angela merkel and emmanuel macron since joe biden took office. the leaders

it into the comments made by sergey lavrov and other russian officials today. while rebecca suggestions that russia might be preparing for war have certainly perplexed the government here in berlin the foreign ministry spokesman said that these comments from circle of rolf were strange and hard to understand that other german politicians have been pointing out. that you know russia would perhaps act in its against its own interests if it still aided itself from the e.u. and suggesting this is just saber rattling the german foreign minister heiko marse has condemned russia's treatment of alexina valley and opposition protesters but has also said that germany continues to be interested in cooperation with russia they don't want to drive russia or into the arms of china as he put it but of course these type of comments from the russian foreign minister don't make the dialogue and corporation any easier what about their german government approach to sanctions especially when it comes to their position on that controversial gas pipeline between the 2 countries. well

was the blocks 1st envoy to visit russia since 2017 his meeting with russian foreign minister sergey lavrov aims to keep lines of communication between brussels and moscow open but tensions continue over the imprisonment of kremlin critic alexei navalny. going charged with arrest and sentencing. under arrest of sabs and with the most traitors. i think and respect i have to convey to minister lavrov our deep concern and great rated i will be able to release one to launch an investigation of peace by joining. the e.u. had to put additional sanctions on hold and while lover of stressed that russia wanted to improve relations he did not mince words we put it we looked on we have gotten used to the fact as i have already mentioned that the e.u. more and more often use this one sided restrictions which are not based on any legitimacy at this stage we have to assume that the e.u. is an unreliable partner but your book learning you're not done with that throughout the visit was barely over when the diplomats were expelled and despite all efforts to improve communication some actions speak louder th

to gas pipeline between russia and germany a possible target earlier russian foreign minister sergey lavrov threatened to sever ties with the bloc. you short us if we see again as we have felt more than once that sanctions imposed in some areas create risks to our economy including in the most sensitive spheres such as supplies of parts of components i'm convinced that with regards to the military we've become completely self-sufficient systems of what we need to achieve the same situation in the economy. yes once again we don't want to be isolated from international life when you hurt you but we must be ready for the new rules if you want to use always be prepared for war boots. group which new to groups of more than germany's reaction we're joined now by political correspondent simon young so i mean how has germany reacted to the comments made by sergey lavrov and other russian officials today. well rebecca suggestions that russia might be preparing for war have certainly perplexed the government here in berlin the foreign ministry spokesman said that these comments from circle of rolf we

what he got in response was a big shrug from sergey lavrov during the press conference following theelf. then the statement said diplomatfrom three european countries being expelled straightaway allegedly for attending april-navalny protest on the -- a pro-navalny protest. of course, the countryies involved -- the countries involved said these were unfounded claims, but it is very strange, very interesting signaling from russia. trying to focus at least to some extent on the areas in which they could cooperate. >> we are just going to bring you some news that's come to us, concerning a conversation that's been had we do the prime minister, boris johnson, who has had a conversation with french president, emmanuel macron. the leaders discussed the fight against coronavirus, emphasizg the important role world leaders will play in making sure vaccines are rolled out effectively and also agreeing a succesul vaccination program will require collaboration between governments. boris johnson, also outlining the uk's priority regarding g7 and its presidency. including working together to build

values during a presser with his counterpart sergei lavrov from russia sergey lavrov saying that the e.u. was an unreliable partner so many pieces at the burrell should at that point of condemned comments they also say that he did very little to speak publicly about russia's position in ukraine that the e.u. of course is not aligned with so some very harsh criticism for burrell in fact more than 80 any piece of actually signed an open letter to the head of the e.u. commission calling for burrell's resignation they say that he totally misjudged the situation and he should never visited moscow at this time and how did burrell de-fund his visit to moscow. well burrell defended his visit to moscow by saying that it was very important that the european union continues to have a very open and frank dialogue with russia and then that can only really be done he said in person that is why he decided to do it even though he accepted that many of his colleagues in the european union disagreed with that he said that even though it was clear to hear him that the leadership in russia was using all

look back to what happened last week while he was in moscow meeting with russian foreign minister sergey lavrov of the e.u. high representative for foreign affairs said that the meeting took place in a trusting atmosphere certainly our elations are on the c.v.s. tree. and a number on the gauges and all pointing now are pretty. but. we are connected not only by geography. but put out wide range of the story called called little that have an economic ties that soon change when your super l. arrived back in brussels his assessment then of the meeting in russia was that moscow was not interested in improving relations with the european union that came as something as a as a surprise to the russian foreign ministry spokeswoman al reveal a secret about our western partners when they fail to carry out a flogging they throw a tantrum the aim was to carry out that public flogging which i think had been planned very thorough only an avalanche of sorts to talk about the rallies the journalists to make the valley the main topic. to lump together everything dump it out and gleefully scarper well that didn't

chief was the blocks 1st envoy to visit russia since 2017 is meeting with russian foreign minister sergey lavrov aims to keep lines of communication between brussels and moscow open but tensions continue over the imprisonment of criminal critic alexei navalny. going to charge with arrest and sentencing. and. put him on straight. that you can respect i have to convey to minister lavrov our deep concern and great created i will be able to release on to launch an investigation of peace by joining. the e.u. had to put additional sanctions on hold and while lover of stressed that russia wanted to improve relations he did not mince words. we have got used to the fact as i have already mentioned that the e.u. more and more often use this one sided restrictions which are not based on any legitimacy at this stage we have to assume that the e.u. is an unreliable partner but your book not going with that throughout the visit was barely over when the diplomats were expelled and despite all efforts to improve communication some actions speak louder than words. so how will your opinion respond to the expulsio

to gas pipeline between russia and germany a possible target earlier russian foreign minister sergey lavrov threatened to sever ties with europe. you short us if we see again as we have felt more than once sanctions imposed in some areas create risks to our economy including in the most sensitive spheres such as supplies of parts and components i'm convinced that with regards to the military we've become completely self-sufficient of what we need to achieve the same situation in the economy. yes once again we don't want to be isolated from international life when you get you but we must be ready for that if you want to be prepared for war it's. group which new to go to school or for more on this sebastian schaeffer is the managing director of the institute for the danube region and central europe is an expert in a russian relations and he joins us from vienna sebastian welcome sir lab broad sentiments were strongly expressed in the context of diplomacy we must add he used the word war do we now take his words as a real threat to the political status quo. well thank you very much for having

russian foreign minister sergei lavrov said moscow is ready to set a time with the european union if the bloc hits it with economic sanctions this comes just as kremlin critic alexander vali is due to appear in court on charges of defaming a world war 2 veteran who took part in a pro-government video hearing is getting on the way in moscow in a twitter post last year of all the referred to people who appeared in a video supporting a change in russia's constitution as traces of ali was recently sentenced to nearly 3 years in jail for allegedly violating his probation he recovered from the poisoning in germany. joined by our correspondents our until today in moscow and judge read here in our let's start with you explain to us again what is this new trial all about well basically mr of all he finds himself answering to charges of slander in connection to social media posts he made in the run up to last year's constitutional referendum here in russia basically russian state broadcaster r.t. or russia today and released a video which had a large series of russians every day russians voici

part of a campaign of illegal harassment directed against them now and russia's foreign minister sergey lavrov has said that moscow is ready to sever ties with the european union over the threatened sanctions let's take a look at what he had to say you see the mood. if we see again as we have felt more than once sanctions imposed in some areas creates risks to our economy including in the most sensitive spirit is such as supplies of parts and components i'm convinced that with regards to the military we've become completely self-sufficient we need to achieve the same situation in the economy. yes once again we don't want to be isolated from international life when you've got you but we must be ready for that if you want to be prepared for war. group which need to go to school. some pretty determined words there how serious do you think mr lavrov is about potentially cutting economic ties. i wouldn't necessarily blow his comments out of proportion i mean you really think of the context that these comments took place and it was on a live broadcast from a russian firebrand journalist by the name

was the block's 1st envoy to visit russia since 2017 his meeting with russian foreign minister sergey lavrov aims to keep lines of communication between brussels and moscow open but tensions continue over the imprisonment of criminal critic alex a novel me. going to charge with arrest and sentencing. and the rest of. traitors. like you can expect i have. to minister lavrov i want deep concern and great rated. release on the launch. of. the e.u. had put additional sanctions on hold and while lover of stressed that russia wanted to improve relations he did not mince words. we have gotten used to the fact as i have already mentioned that the e.u. more and more often use this one sided restrictions which are not based on any legitimacy at this stage we have to assume that the e.u. is an unreliable partner for your book not done with her out visit was barely over when the diplomats were expelled and despite all efforts to improve communication some actions speak louder than words. so how will the european union respond to the expulsions of some of us diplomats from russia earlier we put that ques

while joseph burrell was in moscow for those talks he held with sergey lavrov the russian foreign minister he described the atmosphere is a trusting war certainly a lot of asians are on c.v.s. tree. and a number on e.k.g.'s at a low point in our creation. but. we are connected not only by geography. but put out wide range of the story called gold that will have an economic ties but as soon as he arrived back in brussels there was a different statement coming out yes it barrelled said that as far as he was called said moscow had no intention of trying to improve relations with the european union well that prompted the russian foreign ministry spokeswoman various account of to suggest that it had been an attempt for a public whipping of russia where do we stand after all of this certainly a lot of the enemy pays deeply own happy with the high representative for. foreign affairs he says he's not going to quit his boss the commission president says she's not going to sack him so for now at least he's going nowhere. but his kovacs sputnik v. has passed a major milestone on the road to e.u. appr

calling for the families release and considering sanctions on russia the russian foreign minister sergei lavrov has threatened to save a taas with the book. how russia treats this man and his supporters is affecting russia's relations with the european union. opposition leader and lexi metherell mia was arrested in january on his return to russia and jailed soon afterwards now valley is facing more court cases which his supporters say all politically motivated the e.u. is considering leveling new sanctions on moscow during an interview with the russian you tube channel russia's foreign minister suggested the country could break ties with the e.u. if sanctions become a reality. you short of if we see again as we have felt more than once that sanctions imposed in some areas create risks to our economy as well including in the most sensitive spheres such as supplies of parts and components i'm convinced that with regards to the military we've become completely self-sufficient which of what we need to achieve the same situation in the economy. yes once again we don't want to be isolated from intern