Reto lawmakers imposed sanctions as a “point of honor” on Wednesday after Moscow barred nearly 300 people from entering Russia in retaliation for the UK’s response to the invasion of Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was taking action against 287 members of the House of Commons in response to sanctions against Russian politicians, although its list included many former lawmakers. A statement accused Conservative and Labor members of “flogging Russophobic hysteria”. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s office announced the move in response to the UK imposing sanctions on 386 members of the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, last month. Boris Johnson said lawmakers “should consider it a mark of honor” and many politicians welcomed the inclusion on the list.

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Former Conservative leader Mark Harper said he was “proud” to be included, former Secretary of State Andrew Morrison said he was “happy” and former Brexit secretary David Davis joked “how can I cope?” The sanctions list also includes ministers Jacob Rees-Mogg, Amanda Milling and Penny Mordaunt, as well as Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. But the supposed list of “members of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons” seemed very outdated. Charlie Elphicke, who was expelled from the party and jailed after being found guilty of three counts of sexual assault, was also included. So did Sir Oliver Letwin, Dominic Grieve and Justine Greening – all of whom had withdrawn the whip for the Brexit uprising and were no longer MPs after the 2019 election. Speaking during the Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson said: “I do not think there is any disrespect for those who have not been sanctioned when I say that all these 287 should consider it a sign of honor. “And what we will do is continue our strong and principle-based support for the Ukrainian people and their right to protect their lives, their families and to defend themselves. “This is what this country is doing and this has the overwhelming support, I think, from the whole House.” A translation of the Russian Foreign Ministry statement stated that the sanctions were imposed “on the basis of reciprocity”. He added: “These individuals, who are no longer allowed to enter the Russian Federation, have played a more active role in introducing anti-Russian sanctions in London and are contributing to the unfounded escalation of Russophobic hysteria in the United Kingdom. “The hostile rhetoric and accusations coming from the mouths of British MPs not only applaud London’s hostile course, aimed at demonizing our country and its international isolation, but are also used by opponents of the dialogue with mutual respect. Russia to undermine the foundations of bilateral cooperation. “ Foreign Minister Liz True announced the sanctions against the Duma on March 11.