Russia Imposes Reciprocal Sanctions on UK Nationals, Govt Decides Against Fuel Export Bans

LOCAL NEWS

• Russia denies entry to several British nationals in response to UK sanctions "on the basis of reciprocity" – imposing personal sanctions on British nationals involved in "anti-Russian activities."
  • Moscow calls on the UK to "drop the absolutely ungrounded confrontational policy" noting that an "adequate and proportional response will follow any unfriendly steps"
• Lavrov: "Western nations are seeking to hamper parliamentary elections in Russia, in particular, the OCSE is being used to complicate voting.
  • We know that additional steps are being prepared to try doubt the results of our elections – we are keeping an eye on it and will take corresponding actions.
• Govt decides against imposing a ban on the export of gasoline from Russia to stabilise the domestic fuel market.
  • Arguments centered around the trend towards a decrease in export parity due to oil falling below $ 70 per barrel, as well as assurances from oil workers about the growth of supply on the stock exchange.
  • Govt says the prices will be managed if they rise higher than inflation (6.5%) and are currently at 5.8%. Gazprom says gasoline supply should increase in August due to repairs in Surgut and Rosneft's Kuibyshev refinery
• European Peoples Party calls on the EU of prepare a revolution in Belarus, noting that "the Belarusian regime will fall."
  • The EPP proposed to show readiness to punish the regime by imposing sanctions and support the struggle of the people of Belarus.
  • Said it would provide EUR3bn for the democratic transition of power, similar to that in Ukraine – saying it was inevitable and just a matter of time