Russia has proposed closing its borders with the EU

The Russian State Duma has proposed to completely close the borders with European countries. This is how deputies reacted to the new sanctions concerning the rules for Russians to cross the border. The corresponding initiative was made by the deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Alexei Chepa in a commentary to propaganda publications.

He said that for Russia "it will not be a surprise" if other European countries, which have not yet restricted the entry of Russian cars, do so.

In his opinion, all ties with the EU should be cut immediately, even if it "will harm Russia's economic interests."

I think we will also need to take measures, let's say, to close the border with these countries, providing no transit, nothing, no means. I think we need to take a number of economic steps in any case. Let it be directed to the detriment of our interests, but raise tariffs on these countries rigidly, and let our businessmen look for other markets. We have to take all possible political and economic steps in response to these actions of these countries," the MP said.

On 8 September, the European Commission clarified the rules for the application of existing sanctions against Russia. Now Russians are banned from entering the EU even with personal cars registered in Russia. This is considered a prohibited import, even if the cars are used for personal purposes. Exceptions are made for EU citizens and their immediate relatives.