EU suspends visa agreement with Russia

As a result, the Russians will now find it more difficult to obtain a visa, and the process will cost more dearly.

“We have agreed to complete suspension of the visa relief agreement between the EU and Russia”, he has said at a media conference at the end of a two-day meeting with EU foreign ministers in Prague.

This decision will affect reducing the number of new visas issued by EU member states. The process will be more difficult, will be longer”.

Diplomats have said EU ministers have failed to agree on a total stop for tourist visas for Russians, since member states are divided on the issue.

Borrell has said there is considerable increase in the number of border crossings from Russia to neighbouring countries from mid-July.

This has increased the risk of security for these neighbouring states”, he added.

Besides, we've seen a lot of Russians traveling for fun and having made purchases almost no war in Ukraine”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

He calls the war <x0 special military operation” to demilitarise Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia, striking the economy of this state with severe sanctions.

The European Union and Russia have agreements on easing visa procedures since 2007.

Although this agreement was partially suspended late in February to target those close to President Putin the rest of the Russians have not been affected by this measure.

States that share the border with Russia have called for the first restrictive measures in tourist visas for the Russians.

However, Germany and France have been on the other side of the debate, saying that visa restrictions for the Russians will result in non-productive measures, as the EU attempts to fight for “, and the minds of those Russians who do not support the war in Ukraine.

Kiev has called on the EU to stop issuing visas to all Russians, except for political dissidents.