Russian Foreign Ministry expands sanctions list against EU representatives

Moscow in response to the 15th package of EU sanctions significantly expands the list of EU representatives banned from entering Russia. This was reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry on December 28.

The diplomatic ministry called this step illegitimate from the position of international law, and its only result - a further decline in the authority of the EU in the eyes of the world.

"In response to these unfriendly actions, the Russian side significantly expanded the list of representatives of European institutions and EU member states, which in accordance with the Federal Law "On the order of departure from and entry into the Russian Federation" of August 15, 1996 № 114-FZ prohibited entry into the territory of our state," - said in a statement of the department.

The ministry explained that this refers to representatives of security agencies and organizations of the association countries, citizens of the EU member states responsible for providing military aid to Ukraine, involved in the prosecution of Russian officials, advocating the confiscation of Russian assets or using them in the interests of Kiev.

Courts and trials: what is known about the 15th package of sanctions against Russia

The EU Council adopted a new list of anti-Russian restrictions on December 16

The EU foreign ministers finally approved the 15th package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia on December 16. Commenting on this, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that such a move was illegal. According to the diplomat, the imposition of anti-Russian sanctions jeopardizes global energy security. She also promised Russia's response to these actions.

Western countries have tightened sanctions pressure on Russia in connection with the special operation to protect Donbass. The decision to launch it was announced on February 24, 2022 after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.