European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell BRUSSELS, Jan 30The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, criticized Russia's decision, on the basis of the parity principle, to expand the list of representatives of European states and EU institutions who are banned from entering Russian territory, and threatened with sanctions. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Moscow had decided to expand the list of EU representatives who were banned from entering Russian territory. Russian Federation — it includes the heads of a number of European private military companies (PMCs), some politicians of the EU member states, EU institutions. As follows from the statement of the department, Moscow decided to expand the response list on the principle of reciprocity and parity. According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, those who bear «personal responsibility for promoting anti-Russian policy and 'imposing' measures that infringe on the legitimate rights of Russian-speaking residents and the media» were added to the response list. The decision is due to the fact that the EU continues the illegal, destructive and senseless policy of unilateral restrictions against Russia, and also «stamps» discriminatory decisions that arbitrarily restrict the rights of compatriots and Russian organizations. «This decision has no legal justification, it is opaque and will entail thus, Russia continues to escalate tensions in Europe instead of contributing to de-escalation,» Borrell wrote in his blog. Kiev and Western states have recently expressed concern about the alleged increase in «aggressive actions» by Russia borders of Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly denied such accusations, saying that it does not threaten anyone and does not intend to attack anyone, and claims of «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to place more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted earlier that Western statements about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not worry anyone.
Russia will seek security guarantees in the EU from the West, Lavrov said
