Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation regarding Russia's reciprocal list of representatives of EU member states and institutions that are denied entry to the Russian Federation

Submitted on Wed, 09/23/2020 - 14:26

The European Union has recently taken a number of unfriendly steps towards our country and Russian citizens. Acting once again in circumvention of existing international legal norms the EU has continued to expand its sanction toolbox and apply it under contrived and at times absurd pretexts.

The Russian Federation has repeatedly cautioned the EU against such a destructive approach. However the European Union has ignored our proposals to engage in a substantive, professional and fact-based dialogue and continues to resort to the language of sanctions.

In response to the actions of the European Union Russia has now decided to expand its reciprocal list of representatives of EU member states and institutions that are denied entry to its territory. The number of the relevant Russian listings has been brought to parity with that of the existing EU list.

The corresponding restrictions are being introduced under Federal Law No. 114-FZ on the Procedure for Exit from the Russian Federation and Entry to the Russian Federation of August 15, 1996.

In line with standing diplomatic practice the EU Delegation in Russia has been formally notified regarding this step by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Russia reserves the right to undertake appropriate measures should the EU persevere with its policy of confrontation.