MOSCOW. Feb 5 (Interfax) - The possible sanctions, which may be imposed on Russia in connection with the case of opposition activist Alexei Navalny, is an internal affair of the European Union; Russia has grown accustomed to restrictions and builds its life on the premise that the EU is not a reliable partner, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
"We view this as an internal affair of the European Union. We are accustomed to the fact that, as I have just mentioned, the European Union increasingly resorts to unilateral restrictions, which lack a legitimate foundation," Lavrov said at a press conference after talks with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell.
"Russia builds its life on the premise that the European Union is not a reliable partner, at least, at this particular stage," he said.
"Hopefully, the pending strategic review will finally draw attention to the core interests of the European Union in its vicinity. I also hope that today's talks will help take a more constructive trajectory. We are prepared for that," Lavrov said.
As for opposition activist Alexei Navalny's call for EU sanctions on the businessmen associated with the Kremlin, Lavrov invited journalists "to investigate whether there is a similar situation in the world, where a politician or a person who aspires to be a politician demands that foreign nations impose sanctions on one's homeland."
"It's just occurred to me and, if any journalist chooses to do so, I believe that would be a very interesting review, which will draw everyone's attention," Lavrov said.