The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expanded the sanctions list of EU citizens who are prohibited from entering the territory of the Russian Federation.

This decision was made in response to "another restrictive measures against Russian individuals and legal entities," the diplomatic mission said in a statement.

It is reported that the relevant note verbale has already been submitted to the EU Delegation to Russia.

The restrictions include the top military leadership of the European Union, high-ranking officials of the law enforcement agencies of the member states of the Union, as well as representatives of European commercial organizations in the production of weapons and military equipment, the supply of which is carried out to Ukraine.

The Ministry points to a direct contradiction to international law of the restrictions that Europe introduces unilaterally, trying to restrain the development of Russia and "punish" Russians for supporting an independent foreign policy.

It is emphasized that these actions are “accompanied by unprecedented anti-Russian rhetoric” and double standards.

“In parallel, through the EU and its individual member states, lethal weapons and military equipment are being delivered to the Kyiv regime, which are used to shell civilian infrastructure and critical facilities, which further complicates the humanitarian situation in the conflict zone and endangers the entire European continent.

This indicates that the EU does not want to invest in peace in Ukraine and Europe, and maintains a policy of prolonging the conflict.

Residents of the EU countries are forced to pay for such a belligerent policy out of their own pockets,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that "any unfriendly actions against Russia will continue to meet a tough response."

Earlier, the European Commission approved a proposal to completely stop the visa facilitation agreement with Russia, which was announced by European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on September 6 at a press conference in Brussels.

She noted that Russian citizens should not have easy access on the grounds that "being a tourist in the EU is not a fundamental right."

It is expected that this decision will be approved within a week by the EU Council.

For Russians, this means that Russian citizens will face longer and more expensive procedures for obtaining EU visas, and it will become more difficult to obtain multiple entry visas.

In addition, the EU countries will have the right to refuse visas to citizens of the Russian Federation who "may threaten the security of these countries and the EU." 

The European Commission also submitted a proposal to the Council of the EU not to recognize Russian passports that were issued in the territories liberated during the special operation.

Earlier, the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov commented on the words of the head of the EU diplomatic service, Josep Borrell, that Russia is supposedly “a fascist state.

“With such statements, Mr. Borrell completely nullifies himself as a diplomat,” Peskov was quoted by TASS.

It is alleged that he switched to Spanish, explaining that in his native language it would be faster to answer questions from deputies.

An Estonian parliamentarian asked him a question using the phrase "fascist Russia", to which Borrell answered using the same phrase.

It is alleged that the Czech side provided translation into English, and the translator translated the answer incorrectly: allegedly Borrell actually quoted the parliamentarian.

Moscow requested a transcript of the speech.