Moscow, March 18 (RHC-RIA Novosti) -- Moscow blasted the U.S. and European Union's decision to impose sanctions against a list of Russian politicians, the country's legislative body heard on Tuesday.

The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, issued a statement, condemning Washington's and the EU's refusal to accept the expressed will of Crimean residents, who voted overwhelmingly in support of joining Russia.

The Duma said 'it has caused bewilderment that Washington and Brussels, which declare their adherence to democracy, did not accept the people's will.'

'The list of the Russian citizens under sanctions obviously demonstrates that the United States wants to restrict the rights of those who have openly expressed their position,' it said.

On Monday, the United States imposed sanctions against at least seven senior Russian state officials and members of parliament, and against four Ukrainian officials linked to ousted president Viktor Yanukovych, as well as against several top Crimean officials.

The sanctions range from blocking these persons' property in the United States to visa bans. The EU earlier on Monday also imposed similar restrictions on 21 Russian and Ukrainian citizens.