INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Kremlin on Tuesday warned it would respond if the European Union makes it harder for Russians to travel to the bloc as part of measures
would shut the door on dissident Russians fleeing abroad.EU foreign ministers will discuss the issue during a two-day meeting in Prague that
starts Tuesday."We know that there are different views among Europeans on the matter
We will follow this closely
This is a very serious decision that could be directed against our citizens," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters."Of course,
such decisions cannot remain without an answer," he said."Step by step, Brussels and individual European capitals demonstrate an absolute
This mix of irrationality, bordering on the insane, allows for such decisions (on visas) to be discussed," Peskov added.Brussels has imposed
already suspended visa facilitation for Russian official delegations and business leaders, but short stay visitors are allowed to travel to
the bloc.Although Ukraine has called for Russian tourists to be banned completely from the EU, a symbolic suspension of a deal that
facilitates visa applications is expected.Russian leisure travellers use Schengen visas normally valid across 26 EU and associated
countries, including Switzerland and Norway.The visas typically allow stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day rolling period.
