Russian Diplomats Denounce New EU Sanctions as Illegitimate and Arbitrary
Russia's mission to the European Union claims that the latest round of sanctions against Moscow lacks UN legitimacy and infringes on third countries' rights.
Russian diplomats have strongly condemned the recent European Union sanctions imposed on Moscow in response to its invasion of Ukraine, arguing that these measures are illegitimate and violate international law.
According to Russian news agencies, a statement from Russia's mission to the European Union asserts that only sanctions endorsed by the UN Security Council hold legal authority.
The statement, as quoted by TASS, emphasizes that any sanctions not approved by the UN Security Council represent 'unilateral coercive measures,' which are deemed to be 'arbitrariness and aggression' against international law and the UN Charter.
RIA news agency further alleges that the EU's restrictions on exports to countries collaborating with Russia constitute economic blackmail and an extraterritorial application of sanctions.
The EU introduced its 20th package of sanctions against Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine after Slovakia and Hungary lifted their objections following the resumption of oil pipeline flows via Druzhba.
Initially, the EU aimed to adopt this package on February 24 to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.