Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has established controls on the border with Belarus in response to that country's decision to abolish visas for short-term travelers, according to documents released by the government.
A set of government documents posted on February 1 said a "full-fledged border-protection regime" has been established after Belarus last month announced it was abolishing visas for short-term visitors from some 80 countries, including the United States and European Union member countries.
Russia's decision came as a surprise because Russia and Belarus have formed a "union state" since January 2000 and there have been no border controls between the two countries.
However, officials in Moscow have said Minsk's decision to abolish visas presents a security threat to Russia, RFE/RL reports.
