Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Russia’s reciprocal list of British citizens denied entry to the Russian Federation

As known, in August 2021, under far-fetched and absurd pretexts, the British government, relying on its national sanctions authority, announced personal restrictions on seven Russian citizens over their alleged direct responsibility for the poisoning of Alexey Navalny.

We consider London’s latest unfounded anti-Russian attack to be practical confirmation of the British government’s intention to continue its destructive course in bilateral affairs. We are forced to state that the British authorities’ consistent efforts to ratchet up sanctions completely undermine Russia’s attempts at various levels to put interstate relations back on a constructive track.

In response to London’s unfriendly actions and based on the principle of reciprocity, a decision was made to impose personal sanctions on a proportionate number of British representatives who are deeply involved in anti-Russian activities. They have been denied entry to the Russian Federation.

These measures were introduced in accordance with Federal Law No. 114-FZ On the Procedure for Exiting and Entering the Russian Federation dated August 15, 1996.

Once again, we call on the British leadership to abandon its confrontational policy with respect to our country. Any and all unfriendly actions will be met with an adequate and proportionate response.