UK Defence Secretary hints at 'toughening up' visa rules for Russian citizens

In a major hint, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace suggested that UK can "toughen up" visa conditions for Russians in coming days. However, he expressed doubt over declaring a complete ban on entry of Russian citizens, Mirror reported citing BBC Rio 4's Today Programme.

"I certainly think we can toughen up conditions of our visas. I am t sure wher an outright ban is right way," he said. Speaking at rio show, Wallace furr remarked that he does t like seeing wives of oligarchs or senior Russian officials "enjoying mselves in Greece or south of France while ir forces continue to carry out ir offensive in Ukraine. 

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Western nations to ban entry for all Russian nationals. In an interview with Washington Post, Zelenskyy suggested that " most important sanctions are to close borders because Russians are taking away someone's land."

Finland & Estonia call for ban on entry of Russians 

call from Ukrainian President has been supported by several EU leers, including Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin and her Estonian counterpart Kaja Kallas. Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has said that y should stop issuing tourist visas to Russians. Taking to her official Twitter handle, Kallas said, "Stop issuing tourist visas to Russians. Visiting Europe is a privilege, t a human right" and stressed that it is "time to end tourism from Russia w."

tably, Finland, Estonia, and Czech Republic have called on EU to impose a bloc-wide ban on tourist visas for Russians in response to Moscow's offensive in Ukraine. 

UK PM congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day 

statement of Ben Wallace comes as Ukraine celebrates Independence Day. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a statement to mark Ukraine's Independence Day where he congratulated embattled country. In his statement, UK Prime Minister said that he is "delighted" to congratulate Ukraine on its 31st anniversary of Independence. He stated that Ukraine's independence is "threatened once again" with its people fighting with "steel and cour" to defend ir families and decide ir destiny."  British Prime Minister ded that UK has provided military, ecomic, and defence support to Ukraine ever since Russia began its offensive on February 24.

"Today Ukraine's independence is threatened once again, and her people are fighting with steel and with cour to defend ir homes and ir families and to preserve ir right to decide ir own destiny in ir own country," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. 

Im: AP/Twitter/@BenWallaceMP