The EU will suspend a simplified visa issuance agreement with Russia, stopping short of a wholesale visa ban for Russian citizens, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said, as reported by Reuters on Aug. 31.
While Hungary and some other EU members opposed a complete Russian visa ban, the compromise decision enjoys majority support within the bloc, the minister said.
“There won't be a general blanket visa ban imposed for Russian citizens,” said Szijjarto.
He also noted that Hungary has signed another contract with Russia’s Gazprom for additional natural gas supplies, starting on Sep. 1.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier urged the EU to suspend issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens.