In retaliatory move, Russia sanctions 81 European outlets

In a tit-for-tat move, Russia imposed sanctions on Tuesday against 81 European media outlets, limiting access to them from within the country.

In response to bans on Russian state news agency RIA, Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily, and multimedia center Izvestia, "counter-restrictions are being introduced" on media from specific EU countries and pan-European media operators, said the Russian Foreign Ministry website.

The ministry said it was "forced" to take "mirror measures," adding that if sanctions on Russian media are lifted, Moscow will do the same.

Among those banned are major outlets such as Der Spiegel, Agence France-Presse, Spain's El Mundo, France's Le Monde, Agence Europe, and Politico Europe, the continental branch of the US-based outlet.

The EU Council on Monday approved banned the Russian outlets from all media activities on the territory of the European Union.