Russian presidential decree on visa-related response measures against unfriendly countries being drafted - Lavrov

MOSCOW. March 28 (Interfax) - Work is underway on new measures to restrict entry to Russia for citizens of countries which are engaged in unfriendly activities against Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"As an additional measure, a draft decree is being drawn up on response measures of a visa-nature in connection with the unfriendly activities of a number of foreign states. This act will introduce a whole range of restrictions on entry to the territory of Russia," Lavrov said on Monday at a meeting of the United Russia Party's commission on international cooperation and support for compatriots abroad.

As a response to some foreign states' unfriendly activities, legislative amendments were adopted back on March 15, paving the way for possible restrictive measures against any foreign citizens and noncitizens, the minister said. Previously, such measures could be applied only to U.S. citizens.

"I think that this step will help broaden the set of tools to influence several categories of foreign citizens. First and foremost, these are the persons who are involved in crimes against Russian citizens abroad. Second, these are the persons who have groundlessly prosecuted our people. And, finally, these are the persons who adopted unsubstantiated decisions, which violate the rights and legal interests of Russian citizens and organizations," Lavrov said.