Tatarstan authorities comment on EU sanctions against Minnikhanov

The government of Tatarstan considers the inclusion of the head of the republic Rustam Minnikhanov in the EU sanctions list as a provocation. This was reported by TASS in the press service of the head of Tatarstan. The EU considers Mr Minnikhanov involved in the “forced displacement of Ukrainian children”.

The authorities of Tatarstan said that the European Union “cynically uses children for political purposes”. They noted that “in the current situation, there may be many reasons” for sanctions against the republic. However, the wording “forced deportation of children” is a shameless attempt by the West to defame Russia’s spiritual and moral values aimed at protecting and caring for children.

The EU imposed sanctions against 10 individuals and 17 organizations, which it considered involved in the “systematic illegal deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children”, including for the purpose of “forced adoption and re-education”. Children’s sports camps in Russia and North Korea were also restricted.