The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement Tuesday, cited by European Pravda, saying the EU adopted what it calls "illegitimate" sanctions packages against Russia on May 20 and July 18. In response, Moscow took what it described as “countermeasures to unfriendly actions.”The ministry said it significantly expanded the list of officials from EU institutions, EU member states, and other European countries who support what Moscow sees as Brussels’ anti-Russian policy. Those individuals can no longer enter Russian territory.Russia specified that the list includes law enforcement personnel, government and corporate officials, and citizens of EU and other Western countries who have provided military support to Kyiv. The government also targeted individuals who, in Moscow’s view, threaten Russia’s territorial integrity or helped organize blockades of Russian vessels and cargo in the Baltic Sea.The updated list also names EU and European state officials who allegedly played a role in prosecuting Russian officials over what the West describes as illegal abductions and deportations of people from occupied Ukrainian territories.In addition, Russia imposed entry bans on individuals involved in pushing for an international tribunal against Russian leadership, those advocating for the seizure of Russian state assets or using profits from them to aid Ukraine, and individuals known for what the Kremlin calls “Russophobic rhetoric.”Russia also blacklisted members of national parliaments and the European Parliament who voted in favor of anti-Russian resolutions and legislation.On Friday, July 18, European Union ambassadors approved the 18th package of sanctions against Russia.