Russia is expanding the list of Europeans banned from entering its territory

Russia announced Wednesday that it has expanded the list of European citizens prevented from entering its territory, in a decision presented as a response to modern "hostile" mechanisms by Europeans.

The Russian Foreign Ministry did not give the exact reason for this decision, which comes against the backdrop of increasing European criticism since European laboratories confirmed the poisoning of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny .

"More than once we have warned the European Union of the destructive nature of their behavior," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, noting that the list of banned European persons and organizations has been expanded "to equal" the European Union's list.

"If the European Union continues this confrontational approach, we will reserve our right to take appropriate measures," the statement continued.