Zakharova promised "tough steps" in response to the 19th EU sanctions package.

Russia will respond harshly to the latest round of EU sanctions, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on Telegram .

The EU previously adopted the 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions, which included a ban on the import of Russian LNG, new restrictions on oil companies, ships, banks, and the export of certain goods, as well as restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats.

"Russia strongly condemns any illegitimate unilateral coercive measures. More and more countries share and support this approach. Naturally, we will respond to the EU's latest sanctions package with effective and tough measures," Zakharova said.

According to her, the EU measures will not significantly impact Russia, but the EU member states themselves will suffer. Zakharova noted that Brussels, by extending sanctions to companies from third countries, is effectively isolating itself and attempting to impose its rules on others. The diplomat also criticized the ban on tourism services in Russia as a restriction on the freedoms of EU citizens.

EU countries approved the 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions on October 22, and the measures came into effect the following day. Among the companies targeted by the restrictions are Alfa-Bank, MTS Bank, Absolut Bank, the automaker Sollers, foreign branches of Russian banks, including VTB and Sberbank in Belarus, VTB's branch in Kazakhstan, AvtoVAZ, the metallurgical holding Evraz plc, the gold mining company Polyus, the Grinex cryptocurrency exchange registered in Kyrgyzstan, the FESCO transport group, and other organizations.

The package also includes a ban on LNG imports from 2027, sanctions against another 117 "shadow fleet" vessels, and travel restrictions for Russian diplomats.

Russia considers Western sanctions illegal.

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