BRUSSELS -- The European Parliament has taken measures against Russian officials in retaliation for Moscow's banning of 89 EU politicians from entering the country.
European Parliament President Martin Schulz announced the move on June 2, saying the Russian authorities have "failed to ensure transparency in their decisions, in line with international law and legal obligations, and allow the targeted individuals the right of defense and of appeal."
Schulz said that pending the lifting of the blacklist, the EU parliament will restrict access to its premises for Russian EU Ambassador Vladimir Chizov and another unnamed Russian diplomat, assess permission to the legislature for State Duma and Federation Council members "on a case-by-case basis," and suspend its engagement with the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, a body that brings together representatives from the two political chambers.
Moscow says it has set up the blacklist in response to EU sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, imposed on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.