Russia may respond to new EU sanctions linked to 'Salisbury affair'

"Thus, our compatriots have become the pilot subjects of the sanctions regime that the EU has recently "invented", ostensibly aimed at combating the use and proliferation of chemical weapons. Accusations against Russia and our citizens regarding the "Skripal case" deserve condemnation," — the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary.

The Russian foreign ministry stressed that "the information campaign launched by the British authorities in this case primarily serves domestic political goals."

"It is clearly a sign that a new outbreak of internal tensions coincides with the next crisis wave of Brexit negotiations," — the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.

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"We regard the establishment and start of the practical operation of the above-mentioned mechanism as evidence of the EU's disrespect for the Chemical Weapons Convention. It is noteworthy that the list of "chemically restricted persons" drawn up by the EC includes, first of all, citizens of Russia, as well as Syria — two countries that have guaranteed the complete destruction of their chemical weapons stockpiles under the control of the OPCW (unlike the United States). By acting in this way, Brussels once again shows its disregard for the collective mechanism for the development of international cooperation," — the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"We reserve the right to take retaliatory measures against these unfriendly actions," — the Russian foreign ministry said.