On 9 February 2021, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, participated in the Plenary Session of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, where he gave an opening statement on his visit to Russia in the light of the recent crackdown on protestors and the opposition.

On this occasion, Josep Borrell Fontelles ended his statement on the need to, at all levels of the European institutions - Parliament, Council, European Council, Commission, analyse intelligently and calmly their future steps in deciding to define the relationship with Russia.