Russia on Thursday (31/03/2022) banned the entry of the “supreme leaders” of the European Union (EU) and most MPs to its territory in retaliation for sanctions it faces for invading Ukraine, the foreign ministry reported in Moscow.
“The sanctions apply to the top leaders of the European Union, including a certain number of EU commissioners and heads of European military agencies, as well as to the vast majority of members of the European Parliament who promote anti-Russian policies,” Russian Foreign Minister Das told the Foreign Ministry in a statement with.
This measure also applies to political leaders of EU member countries, as well as public figures and journalists who “support illegal sanctions against Russia, incite Russophobia or violate the rights and freedoms of the Russian-speaking population,” he added.
Russian diplomacy did not publish the list of sanctioned persons, but stated that they informed the European representation in Moscow about this measure.
“We reiterate that any hostile action by the EU and its member states will continue to elicit a strong response,” the Russian ministry said.
These sanctions come at the height of the crisis between Western countries and Russia since Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on February 24.
The United States and the EU have imposed strong economic sanctions on Russia, targeting President Vladimir Putin, his government and tycoons.
Russia announced in mid-March that it would ban US President Joe Biden and several senior US officials from entering its territory.
gs (afp, Reuters)