Russia won't follow EU sanctions against Syria

MOSCOW - Russia will not participate in any European Union sanctions imposed against Syria, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Saturday.

"We are not planning to participate in activities following the decisions of the EU targeted against Syria," Lukashevich said in a statement.

In particular, Russia "will not consider requests or agree to inspect ships sailing under the Russian flag or use of any other restrictive measures against them," Lukashevich said.

The EU Council on July 23 decided to impose a number of unilateral sanctions against Syria, Lukashevich said, adding that Russia saw such measures as violations of other countries' sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

The Russian Foreign Ministry previously expressed doubt on whether the new round of sanctions against Damascus imposed by the EU complied with international law and described the sanctions as a "maritime and air blockade of Syria".

The EU obligated its members to inspect Syria-bound ships and planes from third countries if they were suspected of carrying arms for the Syrian government.