Zakharova announced retaliatory measures to EU restrictions on visas for Russians

Russia will take measured retaliatory measures due to the European Commission's ban on issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russians. This was announced on November 14 by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.

"As for retaliatory measures, then, of course, they will be on our part, they will be of a balanced nature," she stressed during a briefing.

Zakharova noted that Russian measures will be taken taking into account the "Russophobic fervor" shown by officials in Brussels. Unlike the EC's approaches, the diplomat pointed out, Russia does not intend to resort to discriminatory practices when developing retaliatory steps.

The representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry also confirmed that the final decisions will be based on Russia's national interests.

The window was closed: The European Commission banned issuing multiple-entry visas to Russians

The EU authorities have linked this measure to improving the security of the Schengen area.

On November 7, the EC announced a ban on issuing new multiple-entry visas to citizens of the Russian Federation. It was clarified that now Russians will have to apply to the visa application center every time to visit the European Union. At the same time, EU countries will be able to continue issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas to family members of Russian citizens residing in the EU.

At the same time, Gunnar Lindemann, a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, said that the EU's visa ban initiative represented a restriction on freedom of travel and also the end of freedom of movement for Russians.

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