EU outrage Over "Putin Blacklist" banning officials

(Vatican Radio) European Union leaders have expressed outrage over Moscow's decision to ban 89 EU officials and military personnel from entering Russia. Even within Russia's Parliament questions have been raised over the move, which appears to be in retaliation to EU sanctions imposed on Russia over its controversial role in Ukraine.

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:

Dmitry Gudkov, the only member of Russian legislator to openly oppose the Kremlin, said Sunday he had asked Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov why 89 European Union officials can no longer enter Russia. 

He told Lavrov in an official inquiry that while he understood such a step might have been necessary, "it should have been taken transparently and in consultation with parliament".

The Kremlin has shared Russian President Vladmir Putin's black list with European officials, but refused to release it publicly.

EU NAMES

Yet, the EU was quick to circulate names on social media. They include former Belgian prime minister and current European legislator Guy Verhofstadt and Britain’s former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg as well as the head of Britan's MI5 security service and the chief of its defense staff. 

In a reaction the 28-nation EU said the Russian bans are "totally arbitrary and unjustified, especially in the absence of any further clarification and transparency."

Two German parliament members have already been turned back after flying into Moscow, adding to anger expressed by Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier: “Apart from the fact that I don't find it particularly wise to declare such travel bans, at the very least those affected should have been informed about the reservations against them," he told reporters while visiting Dnipropetrovsk in eastern Ukraine. 

"At a time when we are striving to defuse a tough, dangerous conflict in the middle of Europe this is not a contribution that helps,” Steinmeier said.

MOSCOW RESPONSE

The move is seen as Moscow's response to EU sanctions imposed over Russia's role in Ukraine where it allegedly supports pro-Russian separatists with weapons and troops in the east and annexed the Crimean peninsula. 

Tensions are rising in Ukraine where former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has been appointed governor of the Odessa region, a day after being granted Ukrainian citizenship.

President Petro Poroshenko made the surprise announcement at an event in the Black Sea Port.

The pro-western Saakashvili left Georgia in 2013. Current authorities have charged him with abuse of power and demand his extradition.