“This decision is devoid of any legal justification and transparency and will cause a corresponding reaction,” RIA Novosti quotes the message.

The EU believes that such a move continues to "heat up the atmosphere of tension in Europe instead of contributing to de-escalation."

On January 28, the Russian Foreign Ministry expanded the list of representatives of EU countries and EU institutions who are banned from entering the country.

The list of such persons included the heads of individual European PMCs and representatives of structures that are responsible for infringing on the rights of Russian-speaking residents and the media.

The decision was made on the basis of reciprocity and parity in the light of the fact that Brussels continues the "illegal, destructive and senseless" policy of unilateral restrictions against Moscow.