Putin proposes scrapping visas between Russia, US

[LvivLovers 39]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110310/wl_afp/usrussiadiplomacyeconomyvisas_20110310120551

MOSCOW (AFP) – Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday proposed to visiting US Vice President Joe Biden that Russia and the United States take the "historic step" of abolishing visas between the two countries.

"If the United States and Russia agree to implement a visa-free regime before Russia and the European Union, then this would be a historic step in our relations," Putin told Biden.

"This would break all the old stereotypes between Russia and the United States."

Efforts by Russia and the European Union to agree visa-free travel between the two sides have continued for years without making substantial progress.

This appears to be the first time Putin has suggested cancelling visas with Moscow's main Cold War foe.

[AmyWrites 593]

That'd be awesome but I very much doubt Russia is going be in the VWP.

[patient2010 93]

hmmmmmmmm.....very interesting thanks for sharing.

[^_^ 5,021]

That'd be awesome but I very much doubt Russia is going be in the VWP.

I agree.

There are specific requirements in the law for VWP qualification. One of them relates to levels of fraud. There is very little chance that Russia would qualify under current rules.

[LvivLovers 39]

I can only imagine the influx of hotties if they somehow made it happen!

[^_^ 5,021]

I can only imagine the influx of hotties if they somehow made it happen!

There is an abundance of hotties in other European countries too, many of which already have the VWP. There has been no influx of hotties from those nations, which leads to the conclusion that the hotty-traffic isn't driven primarily by the level of immigration complexity but rather by other factors.

Economic factors, perhaps?

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110310/wl_afp/usrussiadiplomacyeconomyvisas_20110310120551

MOSCOW (AFP) – Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday proposed to visiting US Vice President Joe Biden that Russia and the United States take the "historic step" of abolishing visas between the two countries.

"If the United States and Russia agree to implement a visa-free regime before Russia and the European Union, then this would be a historic step in our relations," Putin told Biden.

"This would break all the old stereotypes between Russia and the United States."

Efforts by Russia and the European Union to agree visa-free travel between the two sides have continued for years without making substantial progress.

This appears to be the first time Putin has suggested cancelling visas with Moscow's main Cold War foe.

He made the same proposal last year to the EU and the EU told him "NO" and for good reason. If this were ever to happen, the US would be run over by Russian mafia and other undesirables so fast it would make your head spin.

[LvivLovers 39]

There is an abundance of hotties in other European countries too, many of which already have the VWP. There has been no influx of hotties from those nations, which leads to the conclusion that the hotty-traffic isn't driven primarily by the level of immigration complexity but rather by other factors.

Economic factors, perhaps?

I think the level of immigration complexity dervices from the economic factors. There is a fear that those from poorer economies will immigrate instead of visit as there is a big economic incentive to do so. If you are a young single hottie, it's relatively easy to do so...which is why they don't typically grant visitor visas to the USA from RUB countries to that demographic. Other countries under the VWP are seen as less "threat" due to less mismatch in economies. Just imo.

[Captain Hammer 113]

That would be fantastic if it really happens. The visa process for visiting Russia is already painful and expensive, I can only imagine how it must be to visit from Russia to the US. Here's hoping it becomes a reality!

[^_^ 5,021]

I think the level of immigration complexity dervices from the economic factors. There is a fear that those from poorer economies will immigrate instead of visit as there is a big economic incentive to do so. If you are a young single hottie, it's relatively easy to do so...which is why they don't typically grant visitor visas to the USA from RUB countries to that demographic. Other countries under the VWP are seen as less "threat" due to less mismatch in economies. Just imo.

Good points

[ONA 133]

He made the same proposal last year to the EU and the EU told him "NO" and for good reason. If this were ever to happen, the US would be run over by Russian mafia and other undesirables so fast it would make your head spin.

Surprise! Russian mafia actually has no problems visiting the US or EU countries And never actually had any problems with it. So, if something like that is going to be done, it will only help honest peple with average income.

EU said "yes, but only when we see your success in fighting corruption, terrorism etc", which is close to saying "NO", but it's not going to change anything... Russian mafia will still be able to go whenever they want and do whatever they want.

[^_^ 5,021]

The Russian mob is huge in the NYC area if my local media is to be believed. From fake phone cards to "Euro" massage parlors to underground clubs to all those white vans that pull up in front of local strip clubs every afternoon delivering their payload from Brooklyn...

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Surprise! Russian mafia actually has no problems visiting the US or EU countries And never actually had any problems with it. So, if something like that is going to be done, it will only help honest peple with average income.

EU said "yes, but only when we see your success in fighting corruption, terrorism etc", which is close to saying "NO", but it's not going to change anything... Russian mafia will still be able to go whenever they want and do whatever they want.

Unless the Russian mindset did a complete 360 degree turn around in the near future, I don't see any Western country dropping their visa policy with Russia in my lifetime. Russia brings new meaning to the word "corruption".

Edited March 10, 2011 by Why_Me

[Captain Hammer 113]

Honestly I think the US isn't going to allow it until long after the EU allows it. Too bad, it would be nice to plan a visit to Pete without having to plan it 6 months in advance.

[sea-monkey 13]

I can only imagine the influx of mother in law visits