EU defends foreign policy chief over Russia trip after expulsions

FILE PHOTO: A protester wearing a face mask holds a poster of Alexei Navalny while marching in Hollywood during a demonstration in support of the Russian opposition leader, who was sentenced to jail, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. February 6, 2021. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's executive defended the bloc's top diplomat on Monday over a trip he made last week to Russia, which announced the expulsion of three EU diplomats while he was holding talks.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he learned of the expulsions via social media while he was talking to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Friday.