Russia expands EU entry ban over new sanctions, targets officials and academics

Russia on Tuesday announced a major expansion of its entry ban list targeting EU officials, law enforcement, and academics in response to fresh sanctions packages over Ukraine.

Moscow cited the European Union’s 17th and 18th sanctions packages, approved on 20 May and 18 July respectively, as the reason for the retaliatory measures.

The ministry said those barred from entering Russia include representatives of law enforcement, government bodies, commercial organisations and academic institutions. These individuals are accused of "facilitating military deliveries to Kiev, supporting dual-use exports, undermining Russian territorial integrity, and participating in blockades against Russian ships in the Baltic Sea."

Also named are those backing the prosecution of Russian officials for alleged deportations in Ukraine, promoting an international tribunal against Russian leadership, or advocating for the seizure of Russian state assets to benefit Kyiv.

The foreign ministry warned that "further sanctions-related decisions by the EU will also be met with a timely and appropriate response."

The EU’s 18th sanctions package added more than 50 people and entities to the bloc’s blacklist. It also reduced the price cap on Russian oil exports from 60 U.S. dollars to 47.6 U.S. dollars per barrel and banned the import of refined products made from Russian crude.

While the full list of banned individuals has not been made public, the Kremlin statement underscored a broad range of targets — including EU parliamentarians who supported anti-Russia resolutions, sanctions authors, and what it called “Russophobic” public figures.

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