Maria Zakharova's controversial outfit during her visit to Tehran

On 23 February, the day before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, she was sanctioned by the European Union alongside other prominent Russian media figures, as "a central figure of the government propaganda," and for having "promoted the deployment of Russian forces in Ukraine." The sanctions include being placed on a No Fly list and the freezing of assets. On 8 March, Australia also imposed sanctions on Zakharova. On 18 March, Zakharova was included in Japan's expanded sanctions list.