Russia says it’s ready for split if EU imposes new sanctions

MOSCOW — Russia is prepared for a split with the European Union if the EU imposes new crippling sanctions amid a dispute over the treatment of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the nation’s top diplomat warned Friday.

In response to a question about Moscow’s willingness to rupture links with the EU, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in televised remarks that Russia doesn’t want to be isolated, but must increase its selfsufficiency to face potential EU sanctions. “We don’t want to be isolated from international life, but we must be ready for that,” Lavrov said. “If you want peace, you must prepare for war.”

Asked if Russia is heading toward a split with the European Union, Lavrov replied, “We proceed from the assumption that we are ready for that.”

He emphasized the importance of economic ties with the 27 EU nations, adding that Russia would continue engaging in mutually beneficial co-operation. At the same time, Lavrov said, Russia must prepare for the worst and increasingly rely on its own resources.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia wants to maintain normal ties with the EU but needs to prepare for the worst, if the bloc takes hostile actions. “If we face a destructive course that will hurt our infrastructure, our interests, Russia must be ready in advance for such unfriendly steps,” Peskov said.

European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano said the EU welcomes “mutually beneficial co-operation whenever the other side is ready for such a co-operation and for such a dialogue,” adding that Russia has “indicated that they are not really willing to go in this direction.”