Lithuania calls on EU to sanction Russia for Navalny sentencing

"The dialogue between European Union and Russia is now possible only in the language of sanctions", the minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said after the sentencing. "If the community doesn't hurry, Lithuania will consider its own national sanctions", he added.

European Union member Lithuania called on the union to pass sanctions on Russia for sentencing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to three and a half years in jail on Tuesday, its foreign minister said. "The dialogue between European Union and Russia is now possible only in the language of sanctions", the minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said after the sentencing.

"If the community doesn't hurry, Lithuania will consider its own national sanctions", he added. A Russian court sentenced Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to three and a half years in jail on Tuesday after ruling he had violated the terms of his parole, but said his prison term would be shortened for time he had served earlier under house arrest. (Reporting By Andrius Sytas Editing by Chris Reese)