Russia has imposed wider entry bans on representatives of European institutions and countries in response to the new package of sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU), said Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Moscow has "significantly expanded" the list of entry bans for representatives of European institutions, EU member states, and some other European countries that follow an anti-Russian policy, the ministry said in a statement on its official website. The entry bans are also directed against representatives of European institutions, government bodies of EU countries and other European states involved in efforts to establish an "international tribunal" against Russian leadership, in defending the confiscation of Russian assets or in using their proceeds to benefit Ukraine, and officials responsible for formulating and enforcing sanctions against Russia. The ministry said the restrictions also include activists and civilian representatives of the scientific community known for their " Russophobic rhetoric", as well as members of the parliaments of EU member states and the European Parliament who voted in favor of resolutions and initiatives against Russia. Earlier this month, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, announced that the bloc had approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes new restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats within the EU.
