MOSCOW, Jan 29 (Asia Free Press): The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that an additional number of officials from some European Union (EU) member states have been barred from entering Russia for their actions against Moscow, local media reported.
These “representatives of law enforcement agencies, legislative and executive authorities” are personally responsible for promoting anti-Russian policies and measures that infringe on the legitimate rights of Russian-speaking residents and the media but It did not specify who and what countries are targeted, Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The entry ban also applies to the leaders of some European private military companies operating in various regions of the world, the statement added while without further disclosing any details.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has sent a note about the restrictions to the EU delegation in Moscow, the said statement comprised.
The tit-for-tat sanctions come as the West has warned Russia of a massive coordinated response if it launches an attack on neighbouring Ukraine.
Later, in a response, the EU said it “deplored” a decision by Russia to add a number of EU officials to a list of people banned from entering the country.
“The European Union deplores the decision by Russian authorities… to ban an unknown number of representatives of EU member states and institutions from entry into Russia,” an EU spokesperson said in a statement.
“This decision lacks any legal justification and transparency and will meet an appropriate response,” the EU statement also added.
