BRUSSELS, Oct 19 — The European Commission (EC) has said it could introduce further restrictions on visas for Russian citizens as European Union member states push for tighter travel rules, Anadolu Ajansı reported.
"We have also taken measures to make it more difficult to have multiple-entry visas for Russian citizens, and the next steps are coming ahead," its spokesman Markus Lammert told reporters at a midday briefing in Brussels.
He added that the EC is also working to implement measures following a decision by EU ministers to establish an entry ban for Russian combatants involved in the war against Ukraine.
Lammert reiterated that restricting visa issuance to Russian citizens had been an EU priority since the war began in February 2022.
The remarks came amid renewed calls from EU member states for tougher restrictions on Russian nationals entering the bloc.
In June, 11 Schengen countries sent a letter to the European Commission urging further action on Russian tourist visas and a more coordinated approach across the bloc.
A joint ministerial statement published by Sweden also called for new EU proposals to restrict tourist visas for Russian citizens.
The statement argued that inconsistent application of existing rules undermined the bloc's collective approach.
In November, the commission introduced stricter rules preventing Russian nationals from receiving multiple-entry Schengen visas, requiring them to apply for a new visa for each trip to the bloc.
