The Norwegian government announced that from May 29, most Russian tourists will not be able to enter Norway, a country that shares a 198 km border with Russia, according to AFP.

"The decision to tighten entry regulations is in line with Norway's approach of standing side by side with allies and partners in responding to Russia's illegal war in Ukraine," Norwegian Justice and Public Security Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said in a statement on May 23.

Norway, a member of NATO but not part of the European Union (EU), has stopped issuing most types of tourist visas to Russian citizens in the spring of 2022, after a full-scale conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out.

However, Russians with previously issued long-term visas, or visas issued by countries in the Schengen free-travel area in Europe, can still enter Norway through the Storskog-Boris Gleb border crossing, the only border crossing between the two countries.

According to Minister Mehl's statement, from May 29, they will no longer be able to do so.

Exceptions will apply to people coming to Norway for the purpose of working, studying or visiting relatives residing in Norway.

Speaking at a daily press conference on May 23, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Oslo's decision "will obviously be met with a response."

"These are discriminatory decisions, we cannot accept such decisions and we regret that the Norwegian authorities have chosen a path that will further worsen bilateral relations," Peskov told reporters.

According to Norwegian police, since the beginning of this year, 5,102 people with tourist visas have entered the country from Russia.

The Schengen area covers most of Europe and allows people to travel freely within its borders. Although not a member of the EU, Norway is a member of the Schengen area and maintains close cooperation with the union.