In response to the 15th EU sanctions package against Russia, Moscow has taken countermeasures. According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the entry into Russia will now be denied to even more officials from EU institutions and countries. The list includes:
Representatives of European security services; Representatives of state and business EU organizations; EU citizens involved in military aid to Kiev; Staff of EU institutions and state organs of member states that prosecute Russian officials for “illegally detaining and deporting people from Ukrainian territories”; Participants in the establishment of a “tribunal” against Russian leadership; Advocates for the seizure of Russian assets and the use of their profits for the benefit of Kiev; Those responsible for imposing sanctions on Russia and attempts to undermine Russia’s relations with other states; Civil society and science figures who have gained prominence through their anti-Russian rhetoric; Members of the European Parliament and national parliaments who have voted for anti-Russian resolutions and bills.
The ministry also pointed out that the one-sided EU sanctions, bypassing the UN Security Council, violate international law and are therefore illegitimate. As a result, Brussels is only losing credibility among the states of the “world majority.” The ministry assured that every unfriendly action by the European Union will be adequately responded to in the future.
The last EU sanctions package against Russia was adopted on December 16, aiming to “further restrict Russia’s ability to continue its illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified attack on Ukraine.” The list includes 54 individuals and 30 organizations. The sanctions involve travel bans and the freezing of assets.