Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has again defended the global visa ban on Russian citizens, claiming it is a "fair" measure and calling on European allies to enforce it.

"There must be a guarantee that Russian murderers and facilitators of state terrorism will not use Schengen. (...) You cannot destroy the very idea of Europe, our common European values (...)," the Ukrainian head of state said.

Zelensky again defended his proposal to ban visas for Russian citizens traveling to Europe for tourism, entertainment or business, after several members of the European Union (EU) opened debate on the issue.

The Estonian government has already announced that it will stop issuing visas to tourists arriving from Russia, detailing that the number of Russian citizens crossing into the country has increased massively.

However, Zelensky stressed the importance of offering visas to those citizens who risk their lives if they remain on Russian territory.

"Of course, we all realize: there are people who really need protection, who are persecuted in Russia, they may even be killed, and therefore they should receive help from the civilized world," he said.

For the Ukrainian president, only refugees or those seeking asylum should be helped.

"It is for those who struggle, for those who are persecuted. That should not apply to the rest of the Russian citizens."pointed out.

Zelensky proposed the visa ban in an interview with "The Washington Post," in which he noted that many Russians were entering the EU by land, despite flight bans imposed by all 27 member states at the beginning of the war. (Noam)