This measure is motivated by “the need to urgently take retaliatory measures against the unfriendly actions of the European Union”, according to the decree.
In concrete terms, the decree suspends agreements which allowed officials and journalists from European Union countries, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to obtain a visa relatively simply and quickly, which should make the process more cumbersome and lengthen the delays.
Putin has also ordered the foreign ministry to ban foreigners who have committed “hostile” acts against Russia, according to the decree.
Moscow has already announced in recent weeks entry bans on its territory targeting senior Western officials, including US President Joe Biden.
These measures follow a series of economic sanctions announced against Russia since the start of its military offensive in Ukraine on February 24.