Russia remains the EU key partner - with which it is necessary to maintain a dialogue if the EU really wants to become a global player, the head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell wrote in his blog ahead of his visit to Moscow.

"Despite everything that can be said, Russia remains a neighbour, a partner of the first importance with whom we must maintain dialogue if we really want to become a global player and have an influence on Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, Belarus, and Ukraine," he said.

Borrell added that the EU has condemned the arrest of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny upon his return to Russia on January 17, as well as the court decision of February 2, and calls for his release.

Borrell is scheduled to visit Moscow on February 4-6.