Russia expands EU entry ban after EU adopts 20th sanctions package

MOSCOW: The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that Moscow has expanded its 'blacklist' of European Union officials barred from entering Russian territory, in retaliation for a recent package of sanctions imposed by Brussels.

In a statement, the ministry said the ban targets representatives of European institutions and EU member states involved in decisions on military aid to Ukraine. It said the measures were taken “in response to the EU’s unlawful decisions”.

The ministry added that the expanded list covers “representatives of EU institutions, EU member states, and a number of European countries aligning themselves with Brussels’ anti‑Russian policy who are denied entry to the Russian Federation in accordance with Federal Law No. 114‑FZ On the Procedure for Exit from the Russian Federation and Entry into the Russian Federation dated August 15, 1996.”

“The list includes representatives of EU entities, EU member states, and a number of other European countries involved in decision‑making on the provision of military assistance to Ukraine, and engaged in activities designed to undermine the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation,” the statement said.

On April 23, the EU adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, described by Brussels as “the largest sanctions package in two years.”

By RSS/QNA