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| 89 European politicians and military leaders banned from Russia | |
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| Russia has imposed an entry ban on 89 European politicians and military leaders, in a move that has angered Europe and worsened the country’s standoff with the west over Moscow’s role in the Ukraine conflict. | Russia has imposed an entry ban on 89 European politicians and military leaders, in a move that has angered Europe and worsened the country’s standoff with the west over Moscow’s role in the Ukraine conflict. |
| The list, which includes former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and one-time defence minister Malcolm Rifkind, was reportedly compiled by the Russian foreign ministry and handed to an EU delegation in Moscow this week. | The list, which includes former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and one-time defence minister Malcolm Rifkind, was reportedly compiled by the Russian foreign ministry and handed to an EU delegation in Moscow this week. |
| It is a sign of Russia’s deteriorating relations with the west after more than 6,200 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russia separatists. Russia continues to dismiss accusations from Ukraine, Nato and western powers that it is supporting the separatists with arms and its own troops. | It is a sign of Russia’s deteriorating relations with the west after more than 6,200 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russia separatists. Russia continues to dismiss accusations from Ukraine, Nato and western powers that it is supporting the separatists with arms and its own troops. |
| Since Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, the EU has imposed economic sanctions, visa bans and asset freezes on scores of Russian and Ukrainian citizens and organisations. | Since Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, the EU has imposed economic sanctions, visa bans and asset freezes on scores of Russian and Ukrainian citizens and organisations. |
| A spokesperson for EU foreign affairs said in recent months Russia had denied entry to a number of EU politicians, based on their inclusion on a “confidential ‘stop list’”. | |
| “We take note that the Russian authorities have decided to share the list. We don’t have any other information on legal basis, criteria and process,” the spokesperson said. | “We take note that the Russian authorities have decided to share the list. We don’t have any other information on legal basis, criteria and process,” the spokesperson said. |
| Asked about the list while on a visit to Ukraine, the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said it would hamper peace efforts. “At a time in which we are trying to defuse a persistent and dangerous conflict, this does not contribute towards that,” Steinmeier said. | Asked about the list while on a visit to Ukraine, the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said it would hamper peace efforts. “At a time in which we are trying to defuse a persistent and dangerous conflict, this does not contribute towards that,” Steinmeier said. |
| The Russian foreign ministry was not immediately available for comment. | The Russian foreign ministry was not immediately available for comment. |