Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Russia is pursuing looser travel and visa arrangements with several friendly countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday.
Zakharova said Moscow was continuing discussions with governments interested in simplifying entry requirements for travelers.
She cited a mutual visa-free agreement with Saudi Arabia that took effect on May 1 as one recent example of Russia’s efforts to expand easier travel access.
Russia has also been weighing a permanent visa-free arrangement with China. Zakharova said President Vladimir Putin raised the possibility during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bishkek on Aug. 31.
She said tourism and other exchanges between Russia and China had increased after visa requirements were temporarily relaxed for certain categories of travel.
In the same briefing, Zakharova said Russia was prepared to use military and technical measures if it deemed them necessary to respond to perceived NATO threats in the Arctic.
She said the Russian Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry and other agencies were monitoring alliance activity near Russia’s northern borders and preparing possible responses.
Moscow has accused NATO of stepping up military exercises and command changes in the Arctic, while also saying it remains open to security dialogue with countries seeking stability in the region.