Moscow does not recognize unilateral sanctions imposed by EU against Syria and considers them “counterproductive”, Russian MFA said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Russian foreign office said the recent sanctions can be viewed as blockade of the country.

Moscow considers the measures are not contributing to normalization of the situation in Syria and are against the letter and spirit of the UN Security Council plan proposed by international mediator Kofi Annan.  

In fact the measures are viewed as sea and air blockade of Syria, the statement said.