Russia extends sanctions to EU representatives including MEPs

“ A EU maintains the policy of unilateral, illegal restrictive measures in the light of international law,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced in a statement quoted by the Spanish agency EP.

In response, Moscow “expanded significantly” the travel ban list due to Brussels’ “anti-russ policy”.

The list includes persons “involved in decision-making on the delivery of material assistance to the Kyiv regime” and “activities aimed at undermining the territorial integrity of Russia”, he said.

It also includes those “in charge of anti-russ sanctions”.

The list also covers individuals accused of “damaging Russia’s relations with third countries” and obstructing maritime shipping from Russian interests.

People involved in the “persecution of Russian citizens under false pretenses” and the “creation of pseudolegal anti-Russian mechanisms in the Council of Europe” are also targeted.

“ We also imposed restrictive measures against ‘activists’ who maintain hostile positions towards Russia,” the ministry said.

He said that these activists include academics, national deputies and MEPs who “vote in favour of resolutions and draft anti-russian law”.

Russia also stressed that what it described as Brussels’ “destructive policies” will not change Moscow’s foreign policy.

“Any new action by the European Union aimed at extending unilateral anti-russian sanctions will continue to receive the appropriate response from us,” the Ministry headed by Sergei Lavrov promised.

The statement released by the Ministry does not include the list of those targeted by the new sanctions.

Moscow has been subject to Western sanctions since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, especially to try to reduce its ability to finance the war effort against the neighbouring country.