EU Member States to Question Price of Solidarity With Bloc – Russia's Envoy

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Many European Union member states will question the price of their solidarity with EU policies, as countries must give up their national needs to show unanimity with the rest of the block, Russia's envoy to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said.

"On some level in the future, probably, many of those in the EU will question the price of this solidarity more actively," Chizhov told RIA Novosti.

Chizhov's statements came after Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday that Athens has the right to a foreign policy independent of the EU. Tsipras noted that many EU officials commented on Greece's intention to strengthen its relationship with Russia. The prime minister followed up his remark by pointing out that Greece is a sovereign country with the unconditional right to conduct a multifaceted foreign policy.

Russia's relationship with the 28-member bloc deteriorated amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The European Union has imposed several rounds of sanctions against Moscow over its alleged role in the conflict in southeastern Ukraine.

The EU sanctions against Russia policy exposed a marked difference of opinion among bloc members including Greece, Cyprus and Hungary, that have taken a pro-Russia stance, calling for a repeal of the restrictive and unnecessary measures.