Moscow, December 22 The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 22nd that the European Union had previously imposed sanctions on Russia on the suspected poisoning incident of Russian opposition personnel Navalline, and Russia decided to expand the list of targets for countermeasures against some EU countries.
On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that the European Union imposed illegal restrictive measures against Russian personnel under the pretext of the Navalline incident, which is absolutely unacceptable. In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, Russia decided to expand the list of targets for countermeasures against some EU countries.
Those on the sanctions list include those who participate in promoting sanctions against Russia within the EU, who are prohibited from entering Russia.
The statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not mention the specific targets of Russian sanctions.
On October 15, the Council of the European Union issued a press release saying that in accordance with the previous decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union, restrictive measures will be imposed on six Russian officials and a research institution “suspected of involvement in the murder” in Navaline from now on.
These restrictive measures include prohibiting Russian personnel from traveling to the EU and freezing their assets.
On November 12, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that Russia decided to take reciprocal response to EU sanctions.
Navaline, the founder of the Russian Anti-Corruption Foundation, felt extremely unwell on August 20 on a domestic flight from Russia and was rushed to hospital for treatment. Later, he was sent to a hospital in Berlin, Germany, for treatment.
The German government said on September 2 that Navalline contains a “Novichok” type of nerve agent.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on September 9 that Germany made unfounded accusations against Russia about the Navalline incident, which Russia strongly protested.
Nareshkin, director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Agency, said on September 15 that when Navalline left Russia, there were no toxic substances in his body.
