Russia Pushes Back on EU s Sanctions, Says It s Trying to Impede Country s Development
On 4/30/21 at 2:47 PM EDT
Russia pushed back Friday on the European Union s sanctions of six Russian officials in March, saying that the EU is trying to impede Russia s development with unlawful restrictions, the Associated Press reported.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the EU is seeking to punish the nation for its independent foreign and domestic policies and moved to blacklist eight EU officials. All our proposals for settling problems between Russia and the EU through a direct professional dialogue have been consistently ignored or rejected, the ministry said.
UPDATE 2-Russia bars eight EU citizens in sanctions retaliation Reuters 4/30/2021
(Adds EU reaction)
MOSCOW, April 30 (Reuters) - Russia on Friday barred eight officials from European Union countries from entering the country in retaliation for sanctions imposed on Russian citizens by the EU.
Russia s foreign ministry said those banned included Vera Jourova, vice president for values and transparency at the executive European Commission, David Sassoli, the president of the European parliament, and Jacques Maire, a member of the French delegation at the Council of Europe s Parliamentary Assembly. The European Union continues to pursue its policy of illegitimate, unilateral restrictive measures against Russian citizens and organizations, the ministry said in a statement.
Russia blacklists 8 EU officials in retaliatory action
by Vladimir Isachenkov, The Associated Press
Posted Apr 30, 2021 1:17 pm EDT
Last Updated Apr 30, 2021 at 1:28 pm EDT
MOSCOW Russia on Friday blacklisted eight officials from the European Union in retaliation for EU sanctions over the imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The Russian list includes European Parliament President David Sassoli and Vera Jourova, the vice-president of the European Commission for values and transparency.
The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the EU of trying to punish Moscow for its “independent foreign and domestic policies” and of trying contain its development with “unlawful restrictions.” It particularly referred to the EU sanctions slapped on six Russian officials in March.
The EU reserves the right to take appropriate measures in response to the Russian authorities’ decision,” the statement said. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the EU of trying to punish Moscow for its “independent foreign and domestic policies” and of trying to contain its development with “unlawful restrictions.” It particularly referred to the EU sanctions slapped on six Russian officials in March.
Babuskinsky District Court Press Service/AP
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is seen on TV screens in a link from prison during a hearing on charges of defamation in court in Moscow, Russia. Navalny is the most prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin.