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The foreign ministers of the European Union decided yesterday to include ten Russian people and one institution on the sanctions list because they participated (indirectly) in the process against Alexei Navalny. The move is more of a symbolic nature and will have no effect on the Russian economy as a whole:
According to a statement published on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the EU action fosters anti-Russian stereotypes, which the institution described as “completely ineffective”. They were also criticized for saying that the EU first made a political decision and then only decided exactly who they wanted to run for. Russia said the EU move would only lead to further deterioration.
They add that it is absurd and illegal to demand the release of a Russian citizen who has committed economic crimes on Russian territory. The EU is accused of interfering in the internal affairs of Russia and violating international communication etiquette.
Russia has yet to respond to the EU with any measure other than the announcement. Although Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has previously threatened a total breakdown of relations, it is more realistic that there will be a proportionate Russian response to bar EU officials from entering Russia.
Cover image: Getty Images
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