Russia ramps up reciprocal measures, bars more top EU officials over sanctions

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) – Russia on Thursday expanded its reciprocal measures against the European Union and its member states, barring more government officials, lawmakers and public and media figures from the country.

The decision has been taken in “response to the unilateral sanctions of the European Union” and “on the basis of reciprocity, which is fundamental for international law,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“The restrictions apply to the top leadership of the EU, a number of European commissioners and heads of EU military bodies, as well as the overwhelming majority of members of the European Parliament that have advanced anti-Russian policies,” read the statement.

High-level officials including government and parliament members of some EU states and public and media figures have also been placed on the “reciprocal Russian blacklist,” the ministry said.

It accused the individuals of being “personally responsible for promoting illegal anti-Russian sanctions, inflaming Russophobic sentiments and infringing on the rights and freedoms of Russian-speakers.”

“The EU policy of sanctions against Russia oversteps all limits,” the ministry said, warning that the bloc’s actions have pushed ties with Moscow “into a deadlock” and are “jeopardizing the well-being and security of its own citizens, as well as the stability of the global financial and economic system.”

“Any further unfriendly action by the EU and its member states will inevitably be met with a forceful response,” the statement asserted.

Apart from the EU, the US, UK and others have implemented tough financial sanctions on Moscow since it declared war on Ukraine on Feb. 24.

At least 1,232 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,935 injured in the conflict, according to estimates by the UN, which has said that the true figure is likely far higher.

More than 4 million Ukrainians have also fled to several European countries, with millions more displaced inside the country, according to the UN refugee agency.