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| Russian entry ban on politicians shows EU sanctions are working, says Rifkind | Russian entry ban on politicians shows EU sanctions are working, says Rifkind |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Russia’s entry ban on 89 European politicians and military leaders shows sanctions against the country are working, Sir Malcolm Rifkind has said. | Russia’s entry ban on 89 European politicians and military leaders shows sanctions against the country are working, Sir Malcolm Rifkind has said. |
| The former foreign secretary and former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg are among the list of figures barred from entering the country. | The former foreign secretary and former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg are among the list of figures barred from entering the country. |
| “It shows we are making an impact because they wouldn’t have reacted unless they felt very sore at what had happened,” Rifkind told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Once sanctions were extended, it’s had a major impact on the Russian economy. | “It shows we are making an impact because they wouldn’t have reacted unless they felt very sore at what had happened,” Rifkind told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Once sanctions were extended, it’s had a major impact on the Russian economy. |
| “This has happened at a time when the oil price has collapsed and therefore a main source of revenue for Mr Putin has disappeared. That’s pretty important when it comes to his attempts to build up his military might and to force his neighbours to do what they’re told. | “This has happened at a time when the oil price has collapsed and therefore a main source of revenue for Mr Putin has disappeared. That’s pretty important when it comes to his attempts to build up his military might and to force his neighbours to do what they’re told. |
| “If there had to be such a ban, I am rather proud to be on it – I’d be rather miffed if I wasn’t,” he added. | “If there had to be such a ban, I am rather proud to be on it – I’d be rather miffed if I wasn’t,” he added. |
| Rifkind’s comments came as the European Union responded with anger to Russia’s ban on politicians, calling it “totally arbitrary and unjustified”. It said no explanation had been provided for the list, which was shared this week after several requests by diplomats for transparency. | |
| “The list with 89 names has now been shared by the Russian authorities. We don’t have any other information on legal basis, criteria and process of this decision,” an EU spokesman said on Saturday. “We consider this measure as totally arbitrary and unjustified, especially in the absence of any further clarification.” | “The list with 89 names has now been shared by the Russian authorities. We don’t have any other information on legal basis, criteria and process of this decision,” an EU spokesman said on Saturday. “We consider this measure as totally arbitrary and unjustified, especially in the absence of any further clarification.” |
| Many of the figures reportedly included on the list have previously spoken out against the Kremlin. Clegg urged his Liberal Democrat ministers to avoid attending last year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi because of Russia’s anti-gay laws. He also argued that the country should lose the right to host the 2018 World Cup after Russian troops allegedly downed the civilian airliner Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine last July. | Many of the figures reportedly included on the list have previously spoken out against the Kremlin. Clegg urged his Liberal Democrat ministers to avoid attending last year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi because of Russia’s anti-gay laws. He also argued that the country should lose the right to host the 2018 World Cup after Russian troops allegedly downed the civilian airliner Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine last July. |
| Others reportedly barred include the general secretary of the EU council, Uwe Corsepius, the former EU enlargement chief, Stefan Füle, as well as British intelligence and military chiefs, including the MI5 director general, Andrew Parker, former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers and the chief of the defence staff, Gen Sir Nicholas Houghton. | |
| “I understand that they would like the sanctions removed; I want them removed and want to see good relations with Russia,” Rifkind said. “It’s very important that Russia, Britain and western Europe as a whole work amicably together, but we can’t ignore the fact that for the first time since the end of the second world war, part of the borders of a European territory has been violated by a military attack, and that is unacceptable.” | “I understand that they would like the sanctions removed; I want them removed and want to see good relations with Russia,” Rifkind said. “It’s very important that Russia, Britain and western Europe as a whole work amicably together, but we can’t ignore the fact that for the first time since the end of the second world war, part of the borders of a European territory has been violated by a military attack, and that is unacceptable.” |
| A Russian foreign ministry official confirmed that the ban was a result of EU sanctions against Russia. “An answer to some European countries demanding to explain why these names have been put on the lists of persons banned from entering Russia 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 unnamed official told Russian news agency Tass. | A Russian foreign ministry official confirmed that the ban was a result of EU sanctions against Russia. “An answer to some European countries demanding to explain why these names have been put on the lists of persons banned from entering Russia 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 unnamed official told Russian news agency Tass. |
| The official said Russia had previously recommended that envoys of countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia should apply to Russian consular offices before their trips to check whether they are barred from entering the country. “However, our partners preferred not to do so and asked to notify them through diplomatic channels,” he said. “Just one thing remains unclear: did our European co-workers want these lists to minimise inconveniences for potential ‘denied persons’ or to stage a political show?” | The official said Russia had previously recommended that envoys of countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia should apply to Russian consular offices before their trips to check whether they are barred from entering the country. “However, our partners preferred not to do so and asked to notify them through diplomatic channels,” he said. “Just one thing remains unclear: did our European co-workers want these lists to minimise inconveniences for potential ‘denied persons’ or to stage a political show?” |
| The UK foreign office said Russia’s action would not cause the EU to change its position on sanctions. “The way for Russia to get the sanctions lifted is to remove its troops from Ukraine and comply with its obligations under the Minsk agreements,” a spokesperson said. “The EU and member states are urgently seeking more transparency from the Russian authorities for this move.” | The UK foreign office said Russia’s action would not cause the EU to change its position on sanctions. “The way for Russia to get the sanctions lifted is to remove its troops from Ukraine and comply with its obligations under the Minsk agreements,” a spokesperson said. “The EU and member states are urgently seeking more transparency from the Russian authorities for this move.” |
| The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, said on Friday the Netherlands would not abide by the ban as it was “not based on international law, was not transparent and could not be challenged in a court of law”. | The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, said on Friday the Netherlands would not abide by the ban as it was “not based on international law, was not transparent and could not be challenged in a court of law”. |
| The German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said the list 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,” he said. | The German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said the list 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,” he said. |
| I have more to be proud of than to be afraid of! #Savchenko #Ryssland @EPPGroup #eupol pic.twitter.com/2YOvlcqzOh | I have more to be proud of than to be afraid of! #Savchenko #Ryssland @EPPGroup #eupol pic.twitter.com/2YOvlcqzOh |
| Swedish MEP Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, who was among the list of barred names, tweeted: “Being on this list does not change my commitment to the people of Ukraine,” while the former Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg welcomed his inclusion, stating: “When I saw the other names, I found out I was in a very decent club. I consider this a reward.” | Swedish MEP Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, who was among the list of barred names, tweeted: “Being on this list does not change my commitment to the people of Ukraine,” while the former Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg welcomed his inclusion, stating: “When I saw the other names, I found out I was in a very decent club. I consider this a reward.” |
| Sanctions were imposed on Russia after the country annexed Ukraine’s Crimea region in March 2014. More than 6,200 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists. But Russia has repeatedly dismissed accusations from Ukraine, Nato and western powers that it is supporting the separatists with arms and troops. | Sanctions were imposed on Russia after the country annexed Ukraine’s Crimea region in March 2014. More than 6,200 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists. But Russia has repeatedly dismissed accusations from Ukraine, Nato and western powers that it is supporting the separatists with arms and troops. |