Russia announced new reciprocal countermeasures in response to recent sanctions imposed by Western capitals. A ministry statement issued on Wednesday, April 13, describes the introduction of mirror sanctions targeting a broad group of U.S. lawmakers and several Canadian officials. The move comes as Washington and Ottawa broadened restrictions against Russian officials and institutions in the weeks prior.
The Russian Foreign Ministry says it has placed a wide swath of U.S. representatives on Moscow’s stop list, including senior figures and committee leadership of the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress. The policy mirrors Washington’s March 24 decision to blacklist 328 members of the State Duma and other Russian parliamentarians. The ministry notes that after prior entries, such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a comprehensive reciprocation was applied to all lawmakers set to be restricted in the United States, marking a broad countermeasure against the U.S. government’s anti-Russian stance.
In a separate statement, the State Department signaled that Russia can expect further measures. Officials indicated that additional individuals would be added to the stop list, along with other steps designed to respond to U.S. sanctions. The announced measures underscore a pattern of tit-for-tat actions between Moscow and Washington in the broader context of Russia’s relations with the United States.
Canada faced parallel constraints as Russia extended its countermeasures to Canadian officials. The ministry reported that 87 Canadian senators have been restricted, referencing Canada’s decision on March 24 to sanction the entire Federation Council. The Kremlin’s response is described as a reciprocal move aimed at aligning with Canadian parliamentary officials who joined in the broader sanctions regime (TASS).
The ministry portrays Canadian policy as dependent on Ottawa, arguing that continuing a confrontational line would worsen Russia-Canada relations. The statement promises that additional counter-sanctions against Canada will follow in the near term, reflecting Moscow’s readiness to escalate measures in response to Canadian actions (Smolenskaya Square).
The announcement from Moscow notes that the united front of Western sanctions is composed of legal entities and individuals with roles across government channels. The list includes key lawmakers and figures who, in the view of Moscow, have advanced policies adverse to Russian interests. The release frames these steps as a necessary response to what it calls hostile policies pursued by Western administrations and allied governments (Newspaper Europe Telegram channel references and official ministry statements).
In related diplomatic developments, a Czech diplomat based in Moscow was declared persona non grata following the expulsion of a Russian ambassador in Prague. The Czech official was given a deadline to leave Russia by April 16, illustrating the ongoing tit-for-tat climate in regional diplomacy (Newspaper Europe channel reports based on official citations).
Context: Since the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, Western states including the United States, Canada, and several EU members have intensified sanctions against Russian individuals and entities. Reports indicate that portions of Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserves were affected by Western measures in the early stages of the conflict as described by officials from various capitals (Truss and other sources cited in contemporary coverage). These sanctions form part of a broader geopolitical contest that continues to shape international economic and political alignments.