EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep BorrellBRUSSELS Feb 7 Head of Diplomacy EU Josep Borrell said that the EU has the tools to impose «painful» sanctions for Russia, but hopes to avoid them. Kiev and Western states have recently been constantly claiming that Russia is stepping up «aggressive actions» near the borders of Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not worry anyone. Russia has repeatedly rejected accusations by the West and Ukraine of «aggressive actions», stating that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone, and statements about «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to place more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously noted that Western statements about «Russian aggression» and the ability to help Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. «The European Union has a certain set of tools in the economy, trade and finance that can be used and will have serious consequences for the Russian economy… When we talk about sanctions, we are talking about personal sanctions, trade, sectoral economic and financial sanctions. We do not threaten anyone, but we want there to be an understanding of the consequences of certain actions. This containment is part of diplomatic negotiations… what the consequences of the aggression against Ukraine will be is our duty. It will be good if this does not happen. We will do our best in diplomacy to prevent this,» he said at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Berlin is willing to pay dearly for Kiev's security, Burbock said
