Russia is planning to introduce visa-free travel for residents of approximately 11 states as well as ease entry requirements for residents of some 6 others, consisting of India and Indonesia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov revealed on Wednesday.

Lavrov also announced Russia would be restarting its e-visa program, which was introduced in 2020 but then almost right away suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The e-visa program will be relaunched in an abbreviated format that will be unattainable to holders of passports from the majority of Western nations.

I do not believe there will be any issues for friendly states, state-run TASS priced estimate Lavrov as stating at a State Duma conference.

The Russian government is anticipated to announce the e-visa program restart date by 1 June.The procedures are being taken to assist enhance Russias inbound visitor numbers after the nation saw tourist entries visit more than 96% in 2015 following the intrusion of Ukraine and worldwide sanctions being imposed on Moscow.

Lavrov nevertheless stressed that Russias visa requirements werent to blame for the drop off in traveler numbers, blaming rather the choice to stop direct flights to Russia.