The United States refused Ukraine's proposal to stop issuing visas to all Russian citizens on Monday, as the US wishes to allow entry into the country to political dissidents and others whose rights might be in danger in Russia.
"The US wouldn’t want to close off pathways to refuge and safety for Russia’s dissidents or others who are vulnerable to human rights abuses. We’ve also been clear that it is important to draw a line between the actions of the Russian government and its policies in Ukraine, and the people of Russia," a State Department spokesperson said.
Ukrainian Presiden Volodymyr Zelensky has previously called for a complete visa ban, which was echoed by Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The move is, however, opposed by European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrel, who earlier today called such a proposal "controversial."
