Moscow says no outside pressure can sway its foreign policy

Russia has expanded sanctions on European officials involved in arming Ukraine, after the EU adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Moscow.

In a statement on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry argued that the restrictions rolled out last week by Brussels "grossly violate international law."

"In response to the EU's unlawful decisions, the Russian side has significantly expanded the list of representatives of EU institutions, EU member states, and a number of European countries aligning themselves with Brussels' anti-Russian policy," the ministry said.

Without revealing any names or nationalities, the ministry said the blacklist includes officials involved in decision-making on military aid to Ukraine, the introduction of sanctions on Russia, the prosecution of Russian nationals "under far-fetched pretexts," and "causing damage to Russia's relations with third countries." The ministry added that it had also targeted "hostile" activists and academics.

"Brussels' destructive policy is incapable of swaying our country's foreign policy. Russia has been and remains committed to defending its national interests," the ministry said.

On Thursday, the EU announced additional restrictions on Russia's financial sector and energy exports, targeting the so-called "shadow fleet" allegedly used to bypass sanctions on Russian oil trade. Russia has denied operating such a fleet and denounced the seizure of tankers by the US and European states as acts of piracy.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters last week that although the sanctions have had an overall "negative impact" on the Russian economy, the country has "gained significant experience in minimizing their effects."

(RT.com)