“If Brussels decides to shoot itself in the foot, it’s their choice.” This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, commenting on the EU’s decision to suspend the agreement with Russia for visa facilitation. “The violation, avoidance or withdrawal of the European Union from the visa facilitation agreement with Russia will not remain without consequences”, warned the number two of the Moscow diplomacy, quoted by Ria Novosti, anticipating that Russia could take symmetrical or asymmetrical measures in retaliation. EU foreign ministers yesterday reached a common line on the suspension of the 2007 agreement with Russia, announced the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell. The suspension of the agreement serves to prevent “visa shopping” by Russian citizens seeking to enter the European Union through member countries with less stringent rules. The decision comes after weeks of pressure from member countries bordering the Russia to stop the arrival of Russian citizens holding Schengen visas. The suspension of the agreement makes the procedure for obtaining a visa more complicated, expensive and bureaucratic, as well as lengthening the time. It is a step “in the right direction”, said Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, after the agreement on which Helsinki had been insisting for some time, together with the Baltic countries. “This goes in the right direction, but once again we have seen that so far there has been much talk and little action.” “As Russia invades Ukraine and we welcome refugees from Ukraine and try to help Ukraine in all ways, this is not the time for luxury holidays and tourism (for Russians), “he said. A” half-measure “. This is how the Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, defined the EU decision. “We are at a time when the era of peace in Europe is over, as is the era of half measures. Half measures against Russia are exactly what led to the full-scale invasion of February 24,” he said. declared him.