Speaking at a press briefing in Syktyvkar on September 9, 2026, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow is working to ease visa rules with countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. “We are actively and consistently working with colleagues from friendly countries to further simplify travel conditions for citizens,” she said, according to Anadolu Agency.
She named no countries and gave no timetable for new agreements, a point the Russian outlet TRN-News also noted. What she offered instead were existing arrangements as proof the approach works.
Saudi Arabia and China as examples
Zakharova pointed to a mutual visa-free agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia. She also cited China, where visa-free travel has run since September 15, 2025, according to TRN-News. President Putin discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping, at a meeting in Bishkek on August 31, making that regime permanent. Anadolu reported notable growth in tourism and humanitarian exchanges with China since the temporary easing. TRN-News put the rise in tourist exchanges at 43% in the first half of 2026.
Talks of a similar kind are under way across the Middle East and Asia, TRN-News reported, along with discussions on group visa programs with India for organised tourist groups. Work with Latin American and African countries has not yet produced public agreements but remains a priority, the outlet said.
The Arctic warning
The same briefing carried a harder message. Zakharova said Russia remains prepared to use “the full range of military-technical means to counter and eliminate emerging threats” from NATO activities in the Arctic, which she described as a direct security risk to Russia. She added that Moscow stays open to dialogue on Arctic security with countries committed to regional peace and stability.
Sources
- Russia working to ease visa rules with countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America
- Russia pursuing visa simplification with Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America (TRN-News)
