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The Russian government is monitoring the proposed visa restrictions by the European Union and will take action accordingly, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
“We will need to look at specific steps,” spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS. “We always respond based on our own national interests.”
The European Commission, as part of its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, is reportedly considering limiting tourist visas for Russian citizens.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky recently hinted that new measures targeting Russia could include a ban on the free movement of its diplomats within the Schengen Area.
Similarly, EU Commissioner for Security and Migration Magnus Brunner announced on Monday that the alliance plans to tighten visa rules for Russians by December 2025.
However, a total ban on tourist visas is not being considered, Brunner indicated at a press conference broadcast on the Finnish government’s YouTube channel during his visit.
“Because visas are handled by individual member states, the EU cannot impose a total ban,” the Commissioner clarified.
Brunner also confirmed that visa issuance to Russians by European nations has dropped significantly from 4 million to 500,000 over the past few years.
