Russia will take countermeasures against EU restrictions on entry of Russian citizens

　　China News Agency, Moscow, September 8 (Reporter Tian Bing) Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zakharova said at a press conference on the 8th that Russia will take countermeasures against the EU restricting Russian citizens from entering EU countries.

　　In response to the decision of the EU foreign ministers' informal meeting on August 31 to suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia, Zakharova said that the EU's unilateral decision to unilaterally suspend the 2006 Russia-EU visa facilitation agreement was irrational, blatant discrimination, and inconsistent with The interests of citizens of EU countries.

"Behind the absurd claims that Russian tourists pose a threat to EU national security is a collective 'punishment' for Russian citizens' patriotism and support for Russia's special operations in Ukraine, acting on Washington's orders."

　　Zakharova said the EU has isolated itself from Russia and the rest of the world, complicating commercial and personal relations between the peoples of the continent and the Eurasian region, in violation of the OSCE founding documents. The principle of freedom of movement.

"Like other EU unilateral sanctions, these measures cannot change Russia's domestic political situation, much less Russia's foreign policy."

　　She stressed that Russia would not isolate itself from EU residents.

However, Russia's countermeasures against the EU's "unfriendly policy" will be introduced soon, and its absolute priority will be the interests of Russian citizens and national security issues.

　　In response to the announcement by Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland that from the evening of the 19th of this month, Russian citizens holding Schengen visas will be banned from entering the country, Zakharova pointed out that the unilateral restrictive measures of the relevant countries violated all relevant legal foundations and frameworks. A decision has no legal basis.

The Russian side believes that the relevant action is another "unfriendly" action against Russia, and the Russian side will retaliate against it.

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