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Ban on trips to EU for Russians not on agenda

© ITAR-TASS/Igor Zarembo

MOSCOW, March 04. /ITAR-TASS/. A ban on trips to countries of the European Union for Russian nationals is not on the agenda, Russia’s EU Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov said on Tuesday.

“Nobody has ever discussed this. I believe nobody in his right mind will mention this,” he added. As for a statement about a possible suspension of a dialogue on easing of travel restrictions and the abolition of visas, Chizhov said these talks “have already been practically frozen, and the EU is to blame”.

“The European Union advances no direct demands to Russia, but formulates requests, including those connected with the establishment of a direct dialogue with Kiev, but here they are forcing an open door,” he said. “As for de-escalation of the situation, Russia was not the one to lead to this escalation,” he added commenting on the document passed by EU foreign ministers in connection with the situation in Ukraine.

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