Russian Mission to EU Calls Latest Sanctions ‘Illegitimate and Unfounded’

Dragon Media Newsroom

Russia’s Permanent Mission to the European Union has condemned the bloc’s latest expansion of individual sanctions against Russia, calling the measures illegitimate and unfounded. In a statement issued on October 12, the mission said Russia did not recognise unilateral coercive measures imposed in circumvention of the UN Charter.

The mission compared the EU’s sanctions campaign to a desperate gambler raising the stakes in an effort to recover losses. It said the bloc’s push to inflict maximum damage on Russia would ultimately bring failure, disappointment and regret for the European Union.

The statement said Brussels had announced a major expansion of restrictions while some of the EU’s allies were seeking pragmatic and constructive dialogue with Russia.

Attempts to change Russia’s foreign policy through sanctions pressure would be futile, the mission said. It cited the outcome of Russia’s parliamentary elections, held from September 18 to 20, as evidence that such pressure had failed.

The mission warned that Russia would respond appropriately to the EU’s latest actions.