EU's Michel says EU united and firm over Russia sanctions related to Navalny

FILE PHOTO: European Council President Charles Michel attends a news briefing during a visit to a checkpoint in the town of Shchastya in Luhansk Region, Ukraine March 2, 2021. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS

KYIV (Reuters) - The President of the European Council Charles Michel said on Wednesday that EU sanctions over Moscow's treatment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny showed the EU was totally united in defending its interests.

The Kremlin earlier played down the impact of sanctions imposed by the United States and the EU but said it would retaliate with reciprocal measures.