Russia bans EU top leadership from entering

RUSSIA has imposed sanctions against the top leadership of the European Union, including against a number of European commissioners and heads of EU military structures, as well as the vast majority of MEPs, according to the Foreign Ministry website.

The decision was made in response to "massive unilateral EU sanctions, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, which is basic to international law." The restrictions introduced include a ban on entry into Russia.

The sanctions apply to those who "promoted anti-Russian policies." They also included "high-ranking officials, including representatives of the governments and parliaments of some EU member states", as well as public figures and journalists.

According to the Foreign Ministry, these people bear "personal responsibility for promoting illegal anti-Russian sanctions, inciting Russophobic sentiments, infringing on the rights and freedoms of the Russian-speaking population." The department did not publish a list of people who fell under the sanctions.

According to the ministry, Russia has already informed the EU Delegation in Moscow about its decision.