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Anti-Russian sanctions

Senator says Russia should not intensify confrontation with US on visa issue

The US Embassy to Russia stated earlier that it would suspend the procedure for US visa issuance across Russia starting from August 23

ST. PETERSBURG, August 24. /TASS/. Russia has the right to retaliatory visa restrictions against the US, but it should rise above this situation, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko told reporters on Thursday.

"I believe that we should not let the surge of sanctions and confrontation spiral out of control. ‘Eye for eye’ is not always necessary. Of course, there is accepted international practice, and Russia has the right to respond to any hostile rhetoric. But it is sometimes necessary to rise above it and not get involved in the provocative measures that the United States of America pronounces step by step," the lawmaker said.

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She noted that "restriction in visa issuance is restriction of the possibility to visit the United States of America and learn American life, as well as of business, cultural and sports contacts."

"They have already intruded upon the sacred - on communication between people, on the possibility for people of the 21st century to talk to each other and visit each other. This is sheer barbarity and looks just provocative," the Federation Council speaker said.

The US Embassy to Russia stated earlier that it would suspend the procedure for US visa issuance across Russia starting from August 23. The procedure will be renewed on September 1 for Moscow. Non-immigrant visa appointments in the US consulates general in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok will be suspended until further notice. Besides, the embassy will not return paid consular charges to Russians who filed visa applications.

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Foreign policy Sanctions vs. Russia Valentina Matviyenko

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Aslan Bzhania headed to the village of Tamysh, his press service told TASS

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Putin-Scholz phone conversation was arranged promptly — Kremlin spokesman

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Phone conversation between Putin, Scholz lasted one hour — Kremlin

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China hopes for Canada's respect for 'one China' principle — Wang Yi

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European politicians repeat their position on Ukraine like mantra, says Kremlin

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IN BRIEF: Protesters storm parliament building in Abkhazia

Opposition members made several attempts to break into the parliament building and managed to enter the square in front of parliament

Abkhazian opposition urges citizens to gather for rally near parliament building

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Bzhania to run for president in case of early resignation

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Gazprom says EU artificially destroys gas demand to the detriment of its own economy

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Polish foreign minister confirms meeting with European counterparts to discuss Ukraine, US

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski added that apart from the top diplomats from France and Germany, Warsaw also invited Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga

German government confirms death of ten Germans in Ukraine since February 2022

The request was filed by Bundestag member Andrej Hunko of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance - Reason and Justice party

Putin states degradation of Russian-German relations due to Berlin’s policy — Kremlin

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Politician slams Western elites for behaving like 'collective Hitler' on Ukraine issue

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Russia awaits Trump’s proposals on Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

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