Easier Visas to Russia

[mendeleyev]

From this afternoon's Mendeleyev Journal:

It was discussed at the G-8 in France and Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev have instructed their foreign ministers to move quickly on an agreement easing rules for the issue of three-year, multi entry visas. Outgoing US Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle broke the news while a guest on Moscow's talk radio station Ekho Moskvy.

Ambassador Beyrle said the agreement would also reduce charges for visas and that Russia and the United States could finalize the agreement before the end of July.

[acctBill]

Sounds like Russia is testing a new visa system before the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.  It's definitely a good idea, Russia needs to expand and improve their visa program.  However if Russia thinks that the US or France or any other G8 country is going to forgo mandatory visas for Russians I can't see that happening anytime soon. 

If the EU/UK were to abandon mandatory visas for Russians there would be a flood of Russians into the EU and UK, many of whom wouldn't leave when required.  That may not be politically correct or what Medvedev wants to hear but it's true.