EU reacts to Russian blacklist

BRUSSELS – A spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on May 30 that Russia’s creation of a blacklist of persons banned from entering the country was “totally arbitrary and unjustified, especially in the absence of any further clarification and transparency.” Berlin said it demanded clarification from Moscow, adding that people on the list had a right to know why they have been included so they can take appropriate legal action. “At a time when we are trying to defuse a bitter and dangerous conflict in the heart of Europe, this does not help,” German Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said during a visit to Ukraine. According to Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Margot Wallstroem, “It is very striking behavior, which unfortunately does not improve Russia’s image, and we have asked for a clarification for this conduct.” Meanwhile, the European politicians who discovered they were on the blacklist said they were proud of being included. Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, a member of the European Parliament (MEP) and wife of former Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Bildt, said, “Those who try to censor us and make us scared for standing up for values deserve even more criticism.” Former Czech Foreign Affairs Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said, “When I saw the other names [on the list], I found out I was in a very decent club.” German MEP Rebecca Harms, who has previously been turned away by Russia, said the list targets politicians who are campaigning for Ukraine and for human rights, democracy, and civil society in Russia. “Clearly,” Ms. Harms added, “Vladimir Putin sees honest criticism over his authoritarian approach as a threat to his power.” (RFE/RL, with reporting by the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Deutsche Presse-Agentur)