Lavrov responded to the words of the head of the Finnish Foreign Ministry about anti-Russian sanctions

Statements by Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen that sanctions are also aimed at ordinary Russians are absolutely boorish. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a press conference following negotiations with the head of the Tunisian Foreign Ministry Nabil Ammar.

“The statement is absolutely boorish. <...> Mrs. Valtonen (apparently she is still inexperienced) spoke directly about why these sanctions are being introduced – to hurt ordinary people. And, as she said, to wage such a war it is necessary to pay a price to the Russian people. This means that she wants to rouse the Russian people against their own government,” he said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

Lavrov noted that Helsinki is “moving by leaps and bounds into the forefront of the anti-Russian, Russophobic, racist campaign of the West.” According to him, the minister is no longer surprised by the speed with which Finland has lost its neutral status.

September 25 Valtonen admittedthat ordinary Russians are also suffering from Western sanctions. “Yes, ordinary citizens suffer from sanctions. But I don’t think we have a choice. Russia and the Russian people understand that there is a price to pay for waging such an unjust and illegal war. And it’s important for us to show this,” she said in an interview with The Washington Post.

8 September EC explained rules for applying sanctions already in place, stating that entry into EU countries using personal vehicles registered in Russia will be considered a prohibited import. This applies even when they are used for personal purposes and not for commercial purposes. Exceptions are made for EU citizens and their immediate families. In addition to vehicles, Russian citizens are also prohibited from temporarily bringing with them things the import of which from Russia is prohibited to EU countries. It was clarified that the list of restrictions includes suitcases, laptops, smartphones, cosmetics, etc.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, such restrictions reflect the EU’s desire to erect a new “iron curtain” in Europe. The EC, with its clarifications, believes the Russian Foreign Ministry, deliberately introduces legal uncertainty and provokes EU countries to increase discrimination against Russians on the basis of nationality. In the department emphasizedthat the EC’s actions are aimed specifically at ordinary Russian citizens. The Foreign Ministry also called on Russians to carefully weigh all risks when planning trips abroad.