The very possibility of discussing restrictions on the issuance of visas to Russians is due to “irrationality bordering on insanity,” said Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian president, answering a question about the plans of EU foreign ministers to discuss the issue of limiting the issuance of tourist visas to Russians.
“Both Brussels and individual European capitals demonstrate an absolute lack of reason.
This also applies to such anti-Russian impulses, outbursts of simply hatred for our country, in absolutely irrational and even absurd actions in terms of energy, for which the population of European countries - the EU countries, Great Britain, and so on, has to pay, but which allow companies to earn good money from the United States of America,” he said.
At the same time, the press secretary noted that there are different points of view among Europeans.
“We will be watching very carefully.
This is a very serious decision that can be directed directly against our citizens.
And of course, such decisions cannot remain without an answer a priori,” he added.
Peskov stressed that the Kremlin's response would be in line with Russia's interests and protect the interests of Russian citizens.
According to him, it is too early to talk about any specific actions, because it is not known what measures the Europeans will introduce and whether they will be introduced at all.
Earlier, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock suggested that the EU countries suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia.
In turn, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, called for the introduction of such measures as soon as possible.
“European bosses got their Russophobic cackling about Schengen visas to the citizens of our country.
Let them quickly introduce a complete ban on their extradition.
Finally, everyone will finally be convinced of how Europe treats the citizens of Russia,” he said.
Recall that earlier the defense ministers and foreign ministers of the EU countries announced that at the next informal meeting on August 30-31 in Prague, the issue of limiting the issuance of tourist visas to Russians would be discussed, among other things.
Also on russian.rt.com Lack of freedom of movement: how the idea of a ban on tourist visas for Russians could divide the European Union
On February 28, the European Union suspended a number of visa facilitation provisions with Russia.
Later, the Baltic countries (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia), the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Belgium stopped issuing Schengen visas to tourists from the Russian Federation.
Finland also limited the issuance of tourist visas to Russians to 10% of the current volume.
At the same time, in early August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with The Washington Post, voiced a call to close the borders of Western countries for all citizens of the Russian Federation.
“Whatever Russians they are talking about ... make sure that they return to Russia,” he said.
His position was supported by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky.
In turn, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that he could hardly imagine the possibility of banning the issuance of visas to Russians.
Later, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also expressed doubt that the initiative for a complete ban would find support among all members of the European community.
“I do not think that breaking off relations with the Russian civilian population will be useful, and I do not think that this idea will receive the necessary unanimous approval,” he told the Austrian ORF TV on air.
At the same time, he called for a review of the approach to granting visas for Russians on a selective basis.
“I think we need to rethink how certain Russians get visas.
Of course, we don’t want to give it to the oligarchs (we give it. -
RT
).
We need a more selective approach.
But I am not in favor of stopping the issuance of visas to all Russians, ”Borrel explained.
France and Germany, confirming the position of the head of European diplomacy about the lack of consensus, oppose the ban, Bloomberg writes, citing a document for an informal meeting of EU defense ministers and foreign ministers.
Meanwhile, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel that if the EU decides to ban Russians from entering, it will, according to the most conservative estimates, lose €21 billion.
“Lowering the iron curtain around their countries, because of their own stupidity and ignorance, they punish themselves.
80% of the world's population does not support sanctions against Russia - there is someone to visit," he said.
According to him, Russia should also develop its own infrastructure, since the country has a huge number of beautiful places: “Everything must be done to create conditions for travel and recreation in our country.”