The Russian Foreign Ministry commented on restrictions in the EU with visas for "ordinary" Russians

Russia still considers it irrational to resort to retaliatory measures against the actions of the European Commission (EC), which will inevitably hit ordinary people. This was stated by the director of the consular department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexei Klimov, in an interview with the Parliamentary Newspaper.

In early November 2025, the European Commission banned the issuance of multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russians. Now Russian citizens must apply for a new visa every time they plan to visit EU countries.

Answering the question, what will be the Russian response to this step of the EC, the diplomat noted:

"For our part, we still consider it irrational to resort to retaliatory measures that will inevitably hit ordinary people who are friendly to our country and intend to visit it, including for the purpose of tourism. Moreover, citizens of most European countries have the opportunity to enter Russia in a simplified manner using a single electronic visa, the validity period of which has recently been increased from 60 to 120 days, and the maximum period of stay on it — from 16 to 30 days."

Klimov stressed that Moscow views the decision as another "clumsy attempt by Euro-functionaries to build artificial barriers" that prevent Russian citizens from traveling to the relevant countries.

"We proceed from the fact that the circle of supporters of harsh measures against Russians was not formed yesterday and not all European states actually demonstrate a desire to become regulars of this dubious "club" to the detriment of their national interests," he said.