Clegg among 89 Europeans on Kremlin’s travel blacklist

TENSIONS between Russia and the West have plunged to new depths after the Kremlin barred 9 European politicians, intelligence chiefs and military leaders from entering the country.

Those affected by the ban include former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, pictured, defence minister Philip Dunne and exforeign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

Officials from 17 EU nations are on the blacklist, which the Russian Foreign Ministry admits is in retaliation for the EU imposing crippling economic sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine. It emerged at the weekend only after a number of critics had been refused entry to the country.

MI5 director general Andrew Parker, former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers and Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton are also among the nine Britons said to be banned.

The list has been branded ‘unjustified and unacceptable’ by the EU, but high-ranking figures said the move showed the sanctions were placing Russian president Vladimir Putin under pressure.

Sir Malcolm, who was foreign secretary from 1995 to 1997, said: ‘It shows we are making an impact because they wouldn’t have reacted unless they felt very sore at what had happened.

‘Once sanctions were extended, it’s had a major impact on the Russian economy. This has happened at a time when the oil price has collapsed and therefore a main source of revenue for Mr Putin has disappeared.’

He added: ‘If there had to be such a ban, I am rather proud to be on it. I’d be rather miffed if I wasn’t.’

The sanctions were introduced by the EU in the wake of Russia’s controversial annexation of the Crimean region of Ukraine in March last year. Mr Clegg declined to comment on the blacklist, but a party source said: ‘Nick played a leading role in the last government’s measures against Russian aggression. We can only assume that this action is a reaction to those sanctions.’

A Foreign Office spokesman said there was ‘no justification’ for the list, adding: ‘If Russia thinks this will cause the EU to change its position, it is wrong.’

The list emerged as Poland – which shares a border with Ukraine – increased its defence budget by 1 per cent in response to Russian aggression in the region.