The Presidents of the European Council, Commission and Parliament issued this joint statement on the imposition of restrictive measures on eight EU nationals by Russia.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms today’s decision of the Russian authorities to ban eight European Union nationals from entering the Russian territory. This includes the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, Vice President of the European Commission Věra Jourová, as well as six EU Member States’ officials. This action is unacceptable, lacks any legal justification and is entirely groundless. It targets the European Union directly, not only the individuals concerned.”
“This decision is the latest, striking demonstration of how the Russian Federation has chosen confrontation with the EU instead of agreeing to redress the negative trajectory of our bilateral relations.The EU reserves the right to take appropriate measures in response to the Russian authorities’ decision.”
“There has been enough evidence for everyone to realize that Vladimir Putin’s Russia is not a standard international partner. It aims to divide us and sow mistrust.”
European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová.
“I am tired of the attitude that those of us who know Russia are sometimes dismissed as Russophobes,” the Czech member of the Commission said in her first interview after Moscow on Friday banned her, European Parliament President David Sassoli, and other senior European officials from entering Russia.
