The Russian Government has communicated this Friday that it has expanded the list of representatives of the European Union (EU) who are prohibited from entering Russian territory, in reaction to the latest package of sanctions approved by the community bloc in July against Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine, initiated in February 2022 by order of President Vladimir Putin.
In an official note, the Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized that "the EU maintains its policy of unilateral, illegal restrictive measures under International Law," and has indicated that, consequently, Moscow "has significantly expanded" its list of travel prohibitions due to the "anti-Russian policy" of Brussels.
The diplomatic department has specified that the list includes individuals "involved in decision-making regarding the delivery of material assistance to the Kiev regime" and in "activities aimed at undermining the territorial integrity of Russia," in addition to those "responsible for the imposition of anti-Russian sanctions."
Likewise, Foreign Affairs has pointed out that the list also includes individuals whom it accuses of "damaging Russia's relations with third countries" and "obstructing maritime navigation in the interest of Russia," along with "those involved in the persecution of Russian citizens under false pretenses" and in the "creation of pseudo-legal anti-Russian mechanisms in the Council of Europe."
"We have also imposed restrictive measures against 'activists' who hold hostile positions towards Russia, representatives of the academic community of European states, and members of the national parliaments of EU member states and the European Parliament who voted in favor of anti-Russian resolutions and bills," the Ministry added.
Finally, Moscow has emphasized that the "destructive policies" of Brussels will not alter its foreign policy line and has warned that "any new action by the European Union aimed at expanding unilateral anti-Russian sanctions will continue to receive an appropriate response from us."