Media: Italy resists EU push for tourist visa ban on Russians

Italy does not support proposals to ban the issuance of tourist visas to Russian citizens seeking entry to European Union member states, an Italian diplomatic source said.

"The facts speak for themselves," the source said, commenting on reports that Italy's consular offices issue more tourist visas to Russian nationals than those of any other European country, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

According to the source, Italy's visa policy reflects its current diplomatic approach toward Russian applicants.

Earlier, a diplomatic source in Brussels said that the European Commission is preparing to tighten the European Union's visa regime this autumn by introducing new criteria for rejecting visa applications.

The proposed measures are expected to apply primarily to citizens of Russia, Belarus and Iran.

According to the Brussels-based source, the European Commission plans to test the new mechanism by enforcing an entry ban on individuals involved in Russia's war against Ukraine, a measure included in the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia.

By Vafa Guliyeva