Moscow announced that it has significantly expanded the list of European citizens and officials who are banned from entering Russia. The measure comes in response to the last two packages of sanctions by the European Union against the Russian Federation, adopted in May and July 2025, Russian media reported, BTA reports.
A statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, published on Tuesday on the department's official Telegram channel, specifies that the new restrictions are aimed at "representatives of political and law enforcement structures, state institutions, business circles and public figures", who, according to Moscow, are involved in "anti-Russian actions".
Although the list of names has not been made public, the ministry indicates that those affected include officials who participated in military support for Ukraine, individuals associated with the supply of dual-use goods, as well as politicians who supported the sanctions policy against Russia.
Moscow's official position is that the EU's actions "undermine Russia's sovereignty and security" and contradict international law. The statement added that the Russian Federation reserves the right to take additional retaliatory measures if the Western sanctions pressure continues.
The expanded list comes in the context of the 17th and 18th sanctions packages adopted by the EU on 20 May and 18 July 2025, respectively. They provide for additional restrictions in the energy sector, access to sensitive technologies, as well as sanctions against individuals and legal entities suspected of links to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.