The European Union (EU) on Monday suspended its visa facilitation agreement with Russia, which had been in force since 2007.

The EU decided to fully suspend the visa facilitation agreement between the bloc and Russia on September 9, the European Council said in a statement, adding that the move will result in an increase in the visa application fee from €35 ($35) to €80, the need to present additional documentary evidence, increased visa processing times and more restrictive rules for the issuance of multiple-entry visas.