The United States has not introduced any restrictions on issuing visas to Russians, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services Julie Stufft said on Wednesday.
“There are no restrictions on Russian travellers. Russian travelers can actually go to any embassy in the world where they can apply,” Stufft told reporters when asked about Ukraine’s proposal to stop issuing visas to Russians around the world.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday called on EU and G7 countries to stop issuing visas to Russians after Germany admitted a similar measure was being discussed within the European Union as part of a new set of sanctions.
“Russian citizens can make appointments for any type of visa anywhere in the world, and do so regularly,” Stufft explained.
The European Commission said last week that the borderless Schengen area of 26 nations could not completely stop issuing visas to Russian citizens. He added that EU member states can decide for themselves whether or not to consider each application for a short-term tourist visa on an individual basis.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday that freedom of movement was essential to the exercise of human rights and enshrined in international law. The Foreign Office said Russia must be prepared for any eventuality and warned the EU that any hostile action would not be left without a commensurate reaction.
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