2.Member States, in their capacity as Contracting States to the Convention on the Grant of European Patents of 5 October 1973, as revised on 17 December 1991 and on 29 November 2000 (the “EPC”) and in fulfilling their international obligations undertaken in the EPC, shall use best efforts to ensure that the European Patent Office refuses requests for unitary effect within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 1257/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Councilnote that are filed by Russian nationals or natural persons residing in Russia, or by legal persons, entities or bodies established in Russia, including if jointly filed by a Russian national or natural persons residing in Russia, legal persons, entities or bodies established in Russia with one or more non-Russian natural or legal person resident or established outside of Russia.