New Delhi, July 20 -- Moscow-headquarteredRosneft Oil Company on Sunday described the European Union's (EU) latest sanction on Nayara Energy's 20-million tonne refinery in Vadinar, Gujarat as "unjustified and illegal".

"The Nayara Energy refinery is a strategically important asset for the Indian energy industry, providing a stable supply of petroleum products to the country's domestic market," the Russian state-owned energy major said in a statement on Sunday. "The imposition of sanctions against the refinery directly threatens India's energy security and will have a negative impact on its economy."

Rosneft also said that Nayara Energy-in which it holds 49% stake-will take steps to protect the interests of its shareholders and consumers...