MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Russian businessman Alexey Mordashov expressed lack of understanding how sanctions imposed on him by the European Union will promote settlement of the conflict in Ukraine in his official statement.

The European Union introduced sanctions on Monday against presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov and 24 other Russians, including politicians, businessmen, top managers and journalists.

"I have never been close to politics and have always focused on building economic value at the companies I have worked for both in Russia and abroad, creating jobs and supporting local communities. I have absolutely nothing to do with the emergence of the current geopolitical tension and I do not understand why the EU has imposed sanctions on me," the businessman said.

"For a very long time, I have been engaged in the development of economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation with many European countries and I fail to understand how these sanctions against me will contribute to the settlement of the dreadful conflict in Ukraine," Mordashov noted.

"What is happening in Ukraine is a tragedy for two fraternal nations. It is terrible that Ukrainians and Russians are dying, people are suffering hardships and the economy is collapsing. I sincerely hope a way can be found in the very near future to resolve this conflict and stop the bloodshed," the businessman added.