The corresponding measures to the EU visa restrictions for Russian citizens will be taken with a view to the interests of Russia, announced the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova.
“There will be countermeasures, but they will be taken carefully and in accordance, first of all, with our national interests“, Zakharova said in the program “Right to Know“ on TVC channel.
The decision on visa restrictions for Russian citizens was announced earlier by the European Commission, which referred to the prior approval of the new restrictions by all EU countries.
It is expected that non-EU Schengen countries will also join this decision.
In practice, the new measures will mean that Russians wishing to travel to a Schengen country will now have to apply for a new visa each time.
Countries may also introduce additional checks on applicants.