PRAGUE: The European Union (EU) member states' foreign ministers have decided to suspend a visa arrangement with Moscow, making it more difficult for Russian individuals to enter the union.

Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said at a press conference following the two-day informal meeting of the Ministers here on Wednesday: "We agree today with European Union foreign ministers on full suspension of the EU-Russia visa facilitation agreement."

He said, the 2007 deal that made it simpler for Russian residents to obtain Schengen visas was previously "partially suspended" for some Russian collectives and groupings, including officials and businesspeople, but is now "completely halted."

"It implies that it will drastically reduce the number of new visas issued by the EU member states," Borrell said, adding that the process to get a visa is going to be "longer and more difficult." The top diplomat said these member states can take national actions to limit EU entry through their borders as the situation in the EU countries bordering Russia is "difficult."

The BBC stated that while France and Germany were opposed to the move, Ukraine and some other member nations had asked for a blanket ban.

Since Moscow started its continuing invasion of Ukraine on February 24, more than a million Russian citizens have visited the EU.

Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, the five EU nations that border Russia, warned in a joint statement that they might also impose temporary bans or limitations "in order to address pressing public security challenges."
Alexander Glushko, the deputy foreign minister of Russia, responded to the EU's decision by saying that it was "shooting itself in the foot" and that retaliation would be forthcoming.Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine, also criticised the choice, calling it a "half-measure."

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