MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. Moscow has decided to expand the retaliatory list of EU representatives banned from entering the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated on Friday.
"Russia has repeatedly warned the EU against using unilateral restrictive measures that are illegitimate in terms of international law. Amid the decisions taken by the EU, Moscow has openly stated that it retains the right to retaliate. Hence, the Russian side, guided by the principle of reciprocity and parity, decided to expand the retaliatory list of representatives of the EU member states or institutions banned from entering [the country]," the foreign ministry noted.
According to the foreign ministry, the black list includes the heads of European Private Military Companies, operating in various regions across the world, representatives of law enforcement agencies, legislative and executive authorities of some EU member states, who were personally involved in promoting anti-Russian policy. "The Russian Foreign Ministry’s note <…> was handed over to the EU Delegation to Moscow in line with the established procedure," the diplomatic service pointed out.
Destructive policy
Russia’s diplomatic service emphasized that the EU states had resumed its "illegal, destructive and pointless policy of unilateral restrictions against Moscow."
"We urge Brussels to listen to the voices of sensible Europeans calling for lifting the policy of sanctions, that undermines international law and obviously leads to a dead end, against Russia and its allies. This is a significant precondition for restoring stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic space, as well as for stabilizing the climate of international ties," the foreign ministry said.