Scholz doubts issuance of Schengen visas to Russians could be banned

BERLIN. Aug 11 (Interfax) - The proposed ban on the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian citizens is hardly realistic, German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a press conference on Thursday.

"It's very hard for me to imagine such an idea," he said in response to a request for comment on such calls.

Scholz noted that Germany had imposed sanctions on a large number of Russian individuals.

European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper said earlier this week that the European Union had no procedure to ban the issuance of short-term visas to foreigners, including Russians, yet EU member states consider every case individually in a particular situation.

Hipper was asked to comment on the calls of certain EU members for prohibiting Russian citizens from traveling to Europe on short-term visas.