Russia introduces EU 'blacklist'

Moscow: Russia has sent to EU countries a list of people who were denied entry into the country, a Russian foreign ministry official said.

"We would like to refrain from commenting on the names of the people who were barred from entering the Russian Federation, although their surnames appeared in some media outlets," he told reporters on Saturday

"At the same time, we confirm that similar lists have been handed to our European partners," Russian news agency TASS quoted him as saying.

Russia recommended long ago that envoys of those countries which imposed sanctions on the former should apply to their consular offices before their trips for specifying whether they are barred from entering the country, he said.

"However, our partners preferred not to do so and asked to notify them through diplomatic channels," he said.

"In line with this, the above-mentioned lists were sent to them."

"Just one thing remains unclear: did our European co-workers want these lists to minimise inconveniences for potential 'denied personsÂ’ or to stage another political show?" he said.

Restrictions on access to Russia were introduced as a reciprocal action against EU sanctions, he said.

"An answer to some European countries demanding an explanation as to why these names were put on the lists is quite simple -- this was done as a response to a sanctions campaign unleashed against Russia by some Germany-led countries of the European Union."

The US is acting more adequately than the EU countries, he said.

"US citizens are blacklisted as well but it should be mentioned that our American partners act more constructively than the European ones," he said.