Zakharova: The Belarusian Sanctions List Begins to Be Automatically Applied in Russia

Russia introduces restrictions against the EU "in accordance with allied commitments."

In Russia, the imposition of sanctions by the European Union against Belarus was regarded as "open and unacceptable pressure on the country's authorities" and joined the retaliatory Belarusian sanctions. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, according to the agency's website.

"In accordance with the allied commitments, the Belarusian reciprocal sanctions list, which came into force today, is automatically applied in the Russian Federation," Zakharova said.

Let us remind you that since October 2, the European Union has decided to impose sanctions against more than 40 officials of Belarus, who are responsible, in the opinion of the community, "for falsifying elections and violating human rights." This decision was made following the EU summit in Brussels. The list includes representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the KGB, as well as members of the CEC. The EU did not impose sanctions against Lukashenka, as "this would undermine Brussels' demand to start a dialogue with the opposition through the mediation of the OSCE and to release political prisoners."

The Foreign Ministry of Belarus said that in connection with the visa sanctions adopted by the EU against a number of Belarusian officials, the Belarusian side is introducing a retaliatory list of sanctions from today. But the Belarusian side will not publish the list.