Turkey does not intend to make changes to its visa-free regime with Russia despite the worsening ties between the countries, the RIA Novosti news agency reported Friday, citing a representative of the Turkish Embassy in Moscow.
"Turkey doesn't intend to introduce visa requirements for Russian citizens as it considers Russian people to be friendly," the unidentified representative told the agency.
"Despite the actions of the Russian authorities against Turkish citizens, Turkey will not take measures which will have a negative impact on Russian citizens," the representative added.
Turkish citizens will need a visa to visit Russia from Jan. 1 onwards.
Relations between Russia and Turkey have worsened after Turkish forces downed an Su-24 Russian warplane near the Syrian border on Nov. 24.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the incident a "stab in the back by accomplices of terrorists" and ordered a package of economic sanctions against Turkey.
The measures include the ban on charter flights to Turkey from Dec. 1 and an import ban on a range of Turkish products including fruits, vegetables, poultry and salt.
