EU denounces Russian travel ban in retaliation for bloc's sanctions over war in Ukraine

EU deplores Russian authorities’ decision to impose travel ban on some EU nationals, says bloc's foreign policy chief

By Handan Kazanci

ISTANBUL (AA) - The EU on Friday denounced Moscow’s decision to place travel restrictions on European nationals, a move in retaliation over EU sanctions in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“The EU deplores the Russian authorities’ decision to impose a travel ban on a number of EU nationals in retaliation for EU sanctions linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter.

“The EU continues to demand that Russia ceases the aggression against Ukraine,” he added.

Borrell’s statement came after Russia on Thursday expanded its reciprocal sanctions against the European Union and its member states, barring more government officials, lawmakers, and public and media figures from entering Russia.

The bloc’s diplomatic service, the EU External Action Service, also said the bloc “deplores the decision of the Russian authorities to ban a number of European Union nationals, including officials of the European Union and from the Member States, as well as Members of the European Parliament and Member States’ Parliaments,” from entering Russia in retaliation for EU sanctions over Russia’s war on Ukraine.

The statement also said the EU “sanctions respond to the military aggression by Russia against Ukraine” and aim at ending “those illegal and destructive actions.”

A total of 150 Russian diplomats have been expelled from European countries since Russia launched its war on Ukraine over five weeks ago.

The Russian war against Ukraine, which started on Feb. 24, has been met with international outrage, with the European Union, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,232 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,935 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4 million Ukrainians have also fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.

Kaynak: