The Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) clarified that EU sanctions will not affect Russian tourism.

New EU sanctions prohibit European travel companies from organizing trips to RUSSIA for their citizens. This will not affect the operations of Russian tour operators, Georgy Mokhov, Vice President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry, told RBC, commenting on the 19th package of EU sanctions against Moscow.

"This measure does not affect the activities of Russian tour operators within the country," he explained.

However, he noted, these European restrictions could significantly limit the ability of EU citizens to travel to Russia, even though there are currently no barriers to entry. Receiving travel agencies in Russia will continue to operate as usual, Mokhov added.

Earlier, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the new EU sanctions package includes a ban on providing tourism services to Russia. This decision was made to reduce Russian revenues and prevent unnecessary travel to the country due to the risk of arbitrary detention, he explained.

During the discussions on the 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions, some EU countries also proposed a complete ban on Russian tourists entering Europe. The European Commission responded by stating that it could not completely ban tourist visas. Moscow , for its part, promised to respond with new visa restrictions based on its national interests.

Russia considers European sanctions illegal. The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that it is impossible to speak to Moscow in the "language of ultimatums."

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