Lavrov announces visa restrictions for citizens of 'unfriendly' countries
April 4, 2022, 2:16 pm

Lavrov announces visa restrictions for citizens of 'unfriendly' countries

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

The Anadolu Agency reported, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Monday visa restrictions for citizens of countries that are listed as "unfriendly" by Russia.

Speaking at a meeting with the United Russia political party in Moscow, Lavrov said the relevant decree is being worked out.

The minister said: "This act will introduce a number of restrictions on entry into the territory of Russia."

On March 7, the Russian government issued a list of countries "taking unfriendly actions against Russia, Russian companies, and citizens," referring to the economic sanctions introduced amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to a decree published on the government's website, the list includes Albania, Andorra, Australia, Great Britain, including Jersey, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, EU member states, Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, San Marino, North Macedonia, Singapore, US, Taiwan, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, and Japan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Monday (4 Apr) visa restrictions for citizens of countries that are listed as "unfriendly" by Russia (File photo: Pixabay)

Lavrov continued, the US and its allies "directly" declared "a total hybrid war" against Russia.

He added: "The West does not hide the purpose of this confrontation, to destroy the Russian economy, undermine domestic political stability and, ultimately, significantly weaken Russia, push us to the sidelines of international life."

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Lavrov also said, Western countries have reached the point of "direct state banditry," confiscation of private property, and renunciation of obligations in the financial and economic sphere.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, has met international outrage with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,119 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,790 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

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According to the UN refugee agency, more than 3.8 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries, with millions more displaced inside the country.

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.