EU angry over Russia's 'unjustified' travel ban list (Update)

Lashing out at Russia's entry ban against 89 European politicians, officials and military leaders, the European Union has termed the list 'totally arbitrary and unjustified', saying that no explanation had been provided.

The union said that the list was provided after multiple requests by diplomats and added that they did not have any other information on the legal basis or the criteria on which the decision was made, reported the BBC.

Many of those banned are believed to be outspoken critics of the Kremlin including, general secretary of the EU council, Uwe Corsepius, and former British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

A Russian Foreign Ministry official termed the ban a result of the EU sanctions against Russia.

The travel ban list is being read as a sign of Moscow's deteriorating relations with the west over the Ukraine conflict, which has killed over 6,200 people so far.

While the west, Nato and Kiev claim that Russia is backing rebels in conflict-torn eastern region of Ukraine, Russia has consistently denied the allegation.