Russia in visa-free talks with Bahrain and Kuwait, deputy foreign minister says
In short
Russia is negotiating visa-free travel arrangements with Bahrain and Kuwait, Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko said, according to TASS, RBC and Kommersant. Kommersant quoted him as saying agreements are already in place with four Gulf states.
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Russia is holding talks with Bahrain and Kuwait on a visa-free regime, Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko said. TASS published the report first, at 00:05 local time on 22 October 2026. RBC, at 01:33, said Borisenko made the statement to TASS. [ 1 , 2 ]
Kommersant quoted Borisenko as saying: "Agreements on a visa-free regime have already been concluded with four Gulf states. Work with Bahrain and Kuwait is continuing at the moment." [ 3 ]
Kommersant said the visa-free regime for Russian citizens already applies for entry to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. The deputy minister expressed hope that Bahrain and Kuwait will "follow the example of their partners in the region". [ 3 ]
Why it matters
If agreed, the arrangements would extend visa-free entry for Russian citizens to two more Gulf states. The documents give no timetable or terms for the talks.
Key facts
- Russia is holding talks with Bahrain and Kuwait on a visa-free regime. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The statement came from Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko. [ 2 , 3 ]
- RBC said Borisenko spoke to TASS. [ 2 ]
- Borisenko said agreements on a visa-free regime have already been concluded with four Gulf states. [ 3 ]
- Kommersant said the visa-free regime for Russian citizens already applies for entry to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. [ 3 ]
- Borisenko said he hopes Bahrain and Kuwait will follow the example of their regional partners. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When the talks might conclude and what the terms would be. None of the documents gives a timetable, terms or details of the negotiations.
- The four Gulf states that already have visa-free agreements with Russia. Only Kommersant lists Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the UAE as states whose visa-free regime already applies; the other documents do not name them.