Russia’s State Duma (Parliament) introduced a bill that would allow foreigners to stay for two weeks in Russia without an entry visa.
The authors of the bill believe that the initiative will allow foreign guests to get acquainted with Russia in more detail. They said that this measure is vital for Russia against the backdrop of its ‘oppression with anti-Russian sanctions’.
In a rather bizarre twist, the authors of the bill want to allow only foreigners from “friendly states” to remain in Russia visa-free for two weeks. Which countries will be regarded as “friendly” will be decided by the Russian government. Deputies are proposing to add Austria, Germany and Italy to this list for their support of Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.
