EU foreign ministers agree to suspend visa deal with Russia

The European Union’s foreign ministers on Wednesday agreed to suspend the visa facilitation deal with Russia altogether, making it more difficult and more costly for Russian citizens to enter the EU, Block said. said Josep Borrell, head of foreign policy at

“We have agreed … the complete suspension of the EU-Russia visa facilitation agreement,” he said at a press conference at the end of a two-day meeting of foreign ministers in Prague.

“This will significantly reduce the number of new visas issued by EU member states. It will be more difficult and it will take more time.”

A diplomat said EU ministers could not immediately agree to a total ban on Russian travel visas because member states were divided over the issue.

Borrell said there has been a significant increase in border crossings from Russia to neighboring countries since mid-July.

“This poses a security risk to these neighboring countries,” he added. “Additionally, as if the war were not raging in Ukraine, I have seen many Russians traveling for leisure and shopping.” [Reuters]