Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom summoned Russia's ambassador on February 19 over the death of imprisoned opposition leader Aleksei Navalny and called on the EU to consider new sanctions against Russia, joining other Western nations making such moves. "The EU must take action against the political oppression in Russia. This is particularly important given the fact that on February 16, Aleksei Navalny died in Russian captivity," said the top diplomat of Sweden, which is expected to soon to become a member of NATO. He said new sanctions "would provide additional opportunities to take action against Russian government representatives and officials involved in human rights violations."
Sweden Summons Russia Ambassador Over Navalny Death, Seeks New Sanctions
Protesters gather on February 16 in front of the Russian Embassy in Stockholm after the news that the Kremlin's most prominent critic, Alekesei Navalny, had died in an Arctic prison.