MOSCOW, 12 February, 2021 (TON): Russian FM Sergei Lavrov said in an interview on Friday, if the European Union hits Moscow with painful economic sanctions it will readily cut ties with the EU.  

Over the arrest of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny that sparked talk of new sanctions, relations between Russia and the West have come under pressure.  

Three European diplomats told the media that European Union was likely to impose travel bans and asset freezes on allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, possibly as soon as this month, after France and Germany signaled their willingness to move ahead.

The pressure for the sanctions grew when Moscow expelled German, Polish, and Sweden diplomats on a visit last week that angered the European countries.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov was asked in an interview due to be published in full later on Friday whether Moscow would now move toward cutting ties with the EU itself.

“We proceed from the fact that we’re ready (for that). In the event that we again see sanctions imposed in some sectors that create risks for our economy, including in the most sensitive spheres,” Lavrov said.

It seemed that the country has already prepared the people for war and global isolation in accordance with the sanctions scenario for the official said, “…if you want peace then prepare for war”.