Kremlin slams EU talk of visa ban on Russians as ‘irrational’

MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin on Tuesday slammed calls by some European leaders for a visa ban on Russian vacationers, saying the proposals have been “irrational” and the most recent manifestation of the West’s anti-Russian agenda.

At a gathering in Prague this week, European Union overseas ministers will talk about calls from the Baltic states and a few others to cease granting Russians visas for entry to the EU’s 26-nation free-movement Schengen zone.

“Step-by-step, sadly, each Brussels and particular person European capitals are demonstrating an absolute lack of cause,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised reporters.

He stated Europe’s actions in the direction of Russia have been “bordering on madness”, making it attainable Brussels may push forward with a ban sooner or later.

“After all, such choices can not go unanswered,” Peskov stated, with out saying how Russia would possibly reply.

Jap and Nordic EU member states have argued strongly for an outright ban on vacationer visas for Russians in response to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, saying journey to Europe is a privilege, not a proper.

However EU heavyweights France and Germany are towards the proposals to limit visas to Russians, saying such a step can be counter-productive, in response to a joint memo seen by Reuters.

(Reporting by Reuters)