The European Union deplores the decision of the Russian authorities to ban a number of European Union nationals, including officials of the European Union and from the 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 countersanctions, the EU restrictive measures are transparently published and based on clear criteria, including legal ways how to challenge them.

The European Union continues to demand that Russia ceases this 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. Russia bears full responsibility for this war of aggression against Ukraine and will be held accountable for crimes committed in its course.