In February 2015 , the European Union added Kobzon to its list of sanctioned individuals ; Kobzon responded that he was " very pleased and grateful . " He was " proud to be included in a list of people who are not indifferent to the fate of internally displaced Russian-speakers in Donbass and the fate of Russia " . Russian MPs spoke out in response to the EU sanctions , while Kobzon 's fans launched a Twitter campaign in his support . Russia 's Foreign Ministry said that the new sanctions defy common sense , referring to the fact that the sanctions were imposed just one day after the Minsk II agreement came into force . The agreement was reached between EU representatives ( Germany and France ) , Ukraine and Russia , and was aimed at resolving the War in Donbass . Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov condemned Kobzon 's inclusion on the sanctions list as " vile " and " cynical " , questioning the purpose of sanctioning " a highly respected national artist " whose mission in Donbass was " fundamentally humanitarian . " A ruling party MP , Vyacheslav Nikonov , spoke in parliament to support Kobzon , stating " We are with you . If they 're all Charlie , then we are all Kobzon " , playing on the " Je Suis Charlie " slogan used in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting . In response to calls for retaliatory sanctions , Russia 's culture minister Vladimir Medinsky said that Moscow could not impose equal sanctions on the EU , because " Europe simply lacks a star of the same standing as Kobzon . " Kobzon returned to Donbass one week following the EU 's decision . This was his second humanitarian mission to the region delivering medications to hospitals in Luhansk , and giving another free concert " to support local residents "
Charlie Hebdo shooting
Charlie Hebdo shooting
Joseph Kobzon