Russia Suspends Visa-Free Travel with Turkey

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks during his annual news conference at the World Trade Center in Moscow, Russia, 17 December 2015. Photo EPA/BGNES

As had been previously announced, Russia suspended its visa-free regime with Turkey on Friday.

This is one of the retaliatory measures taken by Russia in response to the downing of the Russian Su-24 bomber by Turkey near the Turkish-Syrian border on November 24 last year.

Russia has also imposed bans on the import of certain Turkish fruits and vegetables.

Among the other economic sanctions featured in a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in November are: ban on charter flights between Russia and Turkey; ban on selling Russian nationals tours and related services linked to visits to Turkey; suspending the employment of Turkish nationals.

According to the decree, visa restriction will not affect Turkish citizens with a temporary residence permit in Russia and those on diplomatic mission.

The relations between Russia and Turkey have deteriorated since the incident, with both sides hurling mutual accusations at each other.

Ankara maintains that the Russian aircraft had violated Turkish airspace and was issued with ten warnings before being shot down, while Moscow claims that the airplane stayed exclusively within Syrian airspace.

 

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