Russia does not accept unsubstantiated accusations and does not intend to engage in frank fairies and provocations, head of the State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs Leonid Slutsky told reporters, commenting on the introduction of EU sanctions because of the incident with Alexei Navalny.
Previously, the EU put into effect a decision on sanctions against six Russians and a scientific institute in connection with the situation with Navalny, the Russians were banned from entering the Union. Among those who will be subject to EU restrictions are FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Sergei Kirienko, Head of the Kremlin's Domestic Policy Directorate Andrei Yarin and Presidential Envoy to Siberia Sergei Menyailo.
"Russia will certainly respond to EU and UK sanctions because of the incident with blogger Alexei Navalny. I am sure that the answer will be more than adequate in a situation that the West has brought to the point of absurdity. Russia does not accept unsubstantiated accusations, is not going to make excuses and does not intend to conduct itself on frank fairies and provocations," Slutsky told reporters.
The deputy noted that he shares the "healthy pessimism" of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about the prospects for further development of cooperation with EU institutions in the light of recent decisions.
"Common sense and constructive, unfortunately, became victims of politicized approach and anti-Russian hysteria," Slutsky added.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from RIA Novosti