EU imposes sanctions against Natalya Virtuozova, Director General of the Russia exhibition

The European Union has imposed sanctions against the National Center "Russia" and its general director Natalia Virtuozova. This is evidenced by a document published on the website of the association on February 24.

As the basis for personal restrictions against Virtuozova is cited the participation of new regions of the Russian Federation in the events of the exhibition "Russia", which was held at VDNKh from November 4, 2023 to July 8, 2024.

"Natalia Virtuozova supports and implements policies that undermine and threaten <...> the independence of Ukraine," the text reads.

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In addition, humorist Mikhail Galustyan, TV host Yulia Baranovskaya, senator and chess player Sergey Karjakin, Olympic champion Nikita Nagorny, head of the United Aircraft Corporation Vadim Badeha, businessman Albert Avdolyan, as well as senators Yuri Nimchenko and Andrei Derkach were among the individuals under sanctions.

In total, the 16th package of sanctions against Russia included restrictions against 48 individuals and 35 organizations. In addition, it was decided to ban 13 banks from access to the SWIFT system. Restrictions are also imposed on imports of chrome, some chemicals and on the maintenance of oil and gas processing plants.