OUR Netherlands support proposals for ban Russian tourists from entering the European Union– said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Bopke Hoekstra.

“We would like to make a distinction between the Russian state and its citizens. But at the same time, we see that most of the people who come here are wealthy Russians who often have ties to the regime,” Hoekstra told Dutch broadcaster RTL.

Kremlin: Discussion about banning entry visas for Russians is absurd

The Kremlin has criticized calls by some European leaders to impose a visa ban on Russian tourists, saying the proposals are “absurd” and the latest manifestation of the West’s anti-Russian agenda. At a meeting in Prague this week, European Union foreign ministers will discuss a proposal by the Baltic states and some other countries to stop issuing Schengen visas to Russians.

“Gradually, unfortunately, both Brussels and individual European capitals demonstrate a complete lack of logic,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

He said Europe’s actions towards Russia were “a little far from insane”, allowing Brussels to push the ban forward in the future. “Of course, such decisions cannot go unanswered,” Peskov said, without specifying how Russia might react.

Nordic and Eastern European countries strongly support a total ban on tourist visas for Russians in response to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, saying that travel to Europe is a privilege, not a right.

But major countries such as France and Germany are opposing proposals to restrict visas to Russians, saying such a move would be counterproductive, according to a joint memo, which was obtained by Reuters.