Russia Restricts Visas for Residents of “Unfriendly Countries”

In reaction to Sanctions imposed over Moscow’s war with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has removed simplified visa restrictions for authorities and reporters from a number of nations Russia considers “unfriendly.”

Russia Curbs Visas for “Unfriendly” Nations

Authorities and reporters from various European Union nations and Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, Iceland, and Liechtenstein will no longer be eligible to apply for visas to Russia through a simplified process, per the regulation, which takes effect on April 4th.

According to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency, Putin’s decision eliminates visa-free entrance to Russia for EU nationals holding diplomatic passports.

According to RIA Novosti, Putin has also directed the Foreign Ministry to consider imposing entrance restrictions on foreign nationals or stateless individuals who “conduct unfriendly acts” against Russia, its inhabitants, or legal companies.

Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and European Union are all on Russia’s list of “unfriendly” countries.

The list was increased after the West imposed harsh sanctions on Moscow in response to Russia’s deployment of soldiers into pro-Western Ukraine in what the Kremlin refers to as a “special military operation.”

Russian citizens have been essentially barred from going to the West since the days following the Feb 24th invasion, when Western countries stopped Russian planes from flying over their territory and vice versa.

The Russian assault on Ukrainians has killed innocent civilians and displaced over 4.2 million people.

What Do you think of these actions? Do you think Russia is in the right?