Russia Says New EU Sanctions Illegal, Undermining International Legal Prerogatives of UNSC

MOSCOW, February 23 (Sputnik) - The new sanctions of the European Union are illegal and undermine the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council (UNSC), the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"On February 23, the EU countries adopted the next 13th sanctions 'package.' We consider such actions of the European Union illegal, undermining the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council," the statement said.

As a retaliatory measure Russia expands the list of EU representatives and officials that are banned from entering the country, the ministry said.

"In response to these unfriendly actions, the Russian side has significantly expanded the list of representatives of European institutions and member states of the European Union, who, in accordance with the Federal Law on the Procedure for Leaving the Russian Federation and Entering the Russian Federation dated August 15, 1996 No. 114-FZ, are prohibited from entering the territory of our state," the statement said.

The new list includes representatives of EU law enforcement agencies and commercial organizations, EU citizens responsible for providing military assistance to Ukraine, representatives of European institutes involved in the prosecution of Russian officials for "illegal arrests and removal of people from Ukrainian territories" involved in the creation of a "tribunal" against the Russian leadership, those advocating the confiscation of Russian state assets or the use of profits from them in the interests of Ukraine, the ministry explained.

The Russian response "stop list" also includes representatives of the Council of Europe, members of the legislative assemblies of the European Union countries, participants of the OSCE PA and PACE, who systematically make aggressive statements against Moscow, the statement said.

EU's 13th Package of Sanctions

Earlier today, the European Union has included in its 13th sanctions package against Russia a total of 194 individuals and legal entities.

"The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 106 individuals and 88 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," the document said.

As a result, the new sanctions package brings the number of restrictive measures taken in connection with the Ukraine conflict against individuals and legal entities to over 2,000, the statement read.

The 13th package of EU sanctions against Russia included 194 individuals and legal entities, sanctions have now been imposed on more than 2,000 individuals, the EU Council said in a statement.

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Sanctions Against 27 Companies Extend to Third Countries

The sanctions also involve 27 companies that allegedly support Russia's military-industrial complex, including those from third countries, the EU Council noted.

"The Council added 27 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine. They will be subject to tighter export restrictions concerning dual use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence and security sector. Some of these entities are located in third countries (India, Sri Lanka, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Turkiye) and have been involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions, others are Russian entities involved in the development, production and supply of electronic components for Russia’s military and industrial complex," the document also read.

After Russia launched its special military op in Ukraine in 2022, first the US, and then shortly after Europe, adopted comprehensive sanctions against Russia. However, the anti-Russian restrictions failed to yield the desired effect, as Moscow managed to withstand external economic and political pressure, showing steady economic growth over the period of the conflict.

Earlier, Moscow's Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) confirmed a robust 5.5% GDP growth for the third quarter in December and upgraded its annual GDP growth estimate for January-September to 3% (up from the previous 2.9%). This positive tendency de facto pushes Russia to be Europe's economic leader, Russian presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin said in an interview with Expert magazine.

The incessant economic pressure from the EU, as well the United States, initially sought to crumble the Russian economy. Instead, Russia has not only withstood the unprecedented external strain, but managed to show steady growth indicators, to the surprise of its adversaries. A number of bold Russian foreign policy efforts have likewise secured new bilateral economic alliances and further strengthened the existing ones.