The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, criticized the European Commission's decision to ban multiple-entry visas for Russians, suggesting that the EU prefers illegal migrants.

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented ironically on the European Commission's decision to restrict the issuance of Schengen visas with multiple entries for Russian citizens. She stated that Brussels seems to not need wealthy tourists, preferring illegal migrants. This measure comes in the context of the war in Ukraine, when the EU considered Russia a "heightened risk to internal security." Thus, Russians will have to apply for separate visas for each trip to the European Union, and their applications will be subject to stricter checks.