Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 24 (Xinhua) -- On the occasion of the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the European Union announced on the 23rd that it had adopted the 13th round of sanctions against Russia. Russia said on the same day that this was an "illegal" sanction against Russia, and in response, Russia significantly expanded the EU's "blacklist" and banned relevant European personnel from entering Russian territory.
The EU Council issued a press release on the 23rd, saying that the round of sanctions increased the imposition of restrictive measures on 106 individuals and 88 entities, on the grounds that these individuals and entities should be "responsible for acts that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine". Since this round of sanctions, more than 2,000 individuals and entities have been targeted by the EU.
It is reported that the assets of sanctioned individuals in the EU will be frozen, and EU citizens and companies will be prohibited from providing funds to these individuals. Natural persons are also prohibited from entering or transiting through EU territory. The EU has added 27 new entities that provide "direct support" to the Russian military and industrial complex in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These entities will be subject to stricter export restrictions.
In addition, including components used in the development and production of drones, as well as transformers, which the EU believes may contribute to the "enhancement of Russian defense and security sector technology" and "enhancement of Russian industrial capabilities", restrictions will also be imposed.
Russia responded on the 23rd that the EU continues to try to put pressure on Russia through ineffective unilateral restrictive measures and impose the 13th round of "illegal" sanctions on Russia. In response, Russia has significantly expanded the EU's "blacklist" and banned Europeans from entering Russian territory.
The expanded list includes representatives of law enforcement agencies and commercial organizations of EU countries, citizens of EU member states responsible for providing military assistance to the "neo-Nazi regime" in Kyiv, persons involved in the creation of a "tribunal" against Russian leaders and the collection of relevant materials, persons advocating the confiscation of Russian state assets or using their profits for the benefit of Ukraine, persons supporting sanctions against Russia and attempts to undermine Russia's relations with other countries, persons engaged in the dissemination of disinformation against Russia, etc.
In addition, Russia's "blacklist" also includes members of the Council of Europe, the legislatures of EU member states, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe who systematically make "aggressive remarks" against Russia.
Russia stressed that any unfriendly actions of Western countries will continue to receive a "timely and corresponding" response. (Participating reporters: Fu Yiming, Chen Ting) (end).