The European Union deplores the decision of the Russian authorities to impose counter-sanctions against the EU, the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a press release issued today on behalf of the EU High Representative.
Russia announced that it would ban a number of European Union nationals, including officials of the European Union and from Member States, as well as Members of the European Parliament and Member States’ Parliaments, from entering the territory of the Russian Federation in retaliation for EU sanctions linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The European Union sanctions respond to the military aggression by Russia against Ukraine. They aim at bringing to an end those illegal and destructive actions. Unlike Russian counter sanctions, the EU restrictive measures are transparently published and based on clear criteria, including legal ways how to challenge them,” the EEAS said.
The European Union continues to demand that Russia ceases its aggression and withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine “immediately and unconditionally”, and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders.
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“Russia bears full responsibility for this war of aggression against Ukraine and will be held accountable for crimes committed in its course,” the EU said.