Tashkent, Feb. 12 -- Russia has warned the European Union that it is ready to sever ties with the bloc, if it's hit with painful economic sanctions.

Relations between Russia and the West have come under renewed pressure since the arrest and jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny sparked talk of possible new sanctions.

Moscow has accused the West of hysteria over the case.

Speaking in an interview that was released on Friday (February 12) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was asked directly by a reporter if the Kremlin was willing to separate from the EU.

"We proceed from the fact that we're ready for that. In the event that we again see sanctions imposed in some sectors that create risks for our economy, including in the most s...