Russian FM opposes reciprocal EU visa restrictions

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Moscow does not have to close itself to Europe in the wake of Schengen visa restrictions for Russians, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"We will not isolate ourselves, I believe that in response to these 'Schengen walls' we do not need to close, we do not need to reciprocate and collectively punish citizens of European countries," Lavrov told a meeting with students at the MGIMO University in Moscow.

"It's ridiculous, these people are pathetic. We should not follow this path, respond with stupidity to stupidity. Of course, no one has canceled reciprocity, it should be used purposefully against the organizers, organizers and performers of such anti-Russian sanctions," he added.

The European bloc on Wednesday reached a political deal on suspending the EU-Russia visa facilitation agreement, which was signed in 2007, but stopped short of implementing a full visa ban for Russians over Moscow's war on Ukraine.

The move would significantly reduce the number of new visas issued to Russians by EU member states.

The ban was originally proposed by Russia’s smaller Baltic neighbors Estonia, Latvia, and Finland but opposed by Germany and France.

Estonia, however, has stopped issuing Schengen visas to Russians.