The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that “attempts to put pressure on Moscow are futile”, calling the EU sanctions “illegal”.

“The dire consequences of EU sanctions are becoming increasingly visible to various sectors of the global economy and security, including EU member states,” said Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the ministry.

“The situation is aggravated by the anti-Russian measures of the EU, which are openly aimed at undermining the foreign economic activity of our country, including in the agro-industrial sector,” the spokeswoman explained.

The EU has adopted a new set of standards to strengthen six “unprecedented” sanctions packages against Russia.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday that “the seventh European sanctions package is not enough, and a big price must be placed on Russia to force it to retreat from the world.”