Moscow to take "countermeasures" if Finland stops tourist visas for Russians

The Kremlin's press secretary was reacting to news of growing support in Finland to ban issuing new tourist visas for Russian citizens due to the country's attack on Ukraine.

Russia will react very negatively if Finland stops or restricts the issuing of tourist visas to Russian citizens, according to Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.

The spokesman made the comments during a virtual press conference on Tuesday, according to Russian news outlet Interfax (siirryt toiseen palveluun).

"Russia would, of course, react very negatively to this," he said, noting that he understood that Finland had not yet introduced restrictions on Russian tourists, adding that he hoped that situation would continue.

"All such actions against Russian citizens would require countermeasures and a response — this should be understandable and expected," Peskov said.

Peskov's statements followed news of growing support in Finland to ban issuing new tourist visas for Russian citizens due to the country's attack on Ukraine.

A survey by news outlet STT published on Monday found strong support among Finland's largest parliamentary delegations for shutting down tourist visas for Russians.

On Tuesday, Acting Prime Minister Aki Lindén (SDP) said that he was in favour of tightening visa for Russian tourists.

Aki Lindén Image: Jaani Lampinen / Yle

"Personally, I am of the opinion that it needs to be stricter. There is evidence for that," he told Yle, adding that the foreign ministry was prepared to address the issue.

However no decisions about the issue are expected to be made this week, as most of the government's ministers are on summer vacation.

Lindén noted that Finland would be able to independently decide about the visa issue without permission from the EU.