Peskov commented on the EU’s refusal to simplify the procedure for issuing visas to Russians

Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov commented on the EU decision taken the day before to terminate the simplified procedure for issuing visas for Russians. He called the restrictive measures “another ridiculous decision.”

According to Peskov, the refusal of the simplified procedure for issuing visas will negatively affect Russian citizens, since the process of obtaining a Schengen visa will now be “longer and more difficult.” At the same time, Peskov recalled, European citizens will also face difficulties when traveling to Russia.

“Of course, the withdrawal of this agreement will also make the situation more difficult for the Europeans. Well, another ridiculous decision from a series of such ongoing absurdity,” Peskov said.

The Kremlin representative also answered a question from journalists about Moscow’s response to the EU decision. “Moscow is confidently moving along the path that best suits its interests,” he stressed.

Earlier today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declaredthat Russia should not close and take mirror measures on EU visa restrictions. He clarified that this does not mean that Moscow needs to be inactive. “Of course, no one has canceled reciprocity, it must be used purposefully against the organizers, organizers and executors of such anti-Russian sanctions,” the minister added.

The day before, a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the EU countries was held in Prague, at which, among other things, the issue of banning the issuance of visas to Russian citizens was discussed. As a result of the EU meeting made a decision on the termination of the simplified procedure for issuing visas. “This means that the number of visas issued will significantly decrease, it will be more difficult and longer to obtain visas,” said EU diplomat Josep Borrell.

Later Foreign Ministers of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia declaredthat intend to take additional measures on their own. In particular, they want to temporarily ban the issuance of visas to Russian citizens, as well as their entry with visas from other EU countries. Bloomberg today reportedthat we can also talk about a ban on entry for Russians to Poland, Finland and the Baltic countries by land.

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