EU Russia: Bloc toughens visa regime but no banon August 31, 2022 at 7:34 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The bloc remains divided on whether to issue a total ban on entry for Russian travellers.

Car at Estonia-Russia border crossing at NarvaImage source, Reuters

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to suspend a visa agreement with Moscow, making it harder for Russian citizens to obtain entry to the bloc.

Ukraine and some member states had called for a blanket ban, but others like France and Germany were opposed.

More than a million Russian citizens have travelled to the EU since the invasion of Ukraine in February.

Several eastern EU countries which border Russia are expected to impose further restrictions.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Glushko said the EU was “shooting itself in the foot” and the move would not go unanswered.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba criticised the decision as a “half-measure”.

“With regard to Russia [this] is exactly what led to the large-scale invasion of February 24th,” he said.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the substantial increase in border crossings from Russia made it necessary to suspend the agreement.

“This has become a security risk for these neighbouring states,” he said. “In addition to that, we have seen many Russians travelling for leisure and shopping as if no war was raging in Ukraine.”

But he warned against cutting off people who are against the war or “civil society” in Russia.

Mr Borrell said countries on Russia’s borders were still free to restrict access to Russian citizens, even those with visas.

The measure, which makes it lengthier and more expensive for Russians to get a visa, is being seen as a compromise, with member states unable to agree on banning Russians altogether.

The five EU countries bordering Russia – Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland – said in a joint statement that they could introduce temporary bans or restrictions “in order to address imminent public security issues”.

Estonia aimed to stop most Russians entering the country within weeks, Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said quoted by Reuters.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said the European Commission would look at ways to go further, adding that some 12 million visas had been issued to Russians – the equivalent of about 8% of the population.

But France and Germany warned in a joint statement that “far-reaching restrictions” could feed Russia’s narrative as a victim and estrange future generations of Russians.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Sex assault victims warn about home massage dangerson July 12, 2022 at 12:34 am

The BBC has spoken to women who say they were sexually assaulted during massage treatments.At-home massages have become more popular, but the BBC has...

First trailer teases The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power TV showon February 14, 2022 at 10:17 am

Fans get a first look at ancestors of the hobbits plus more characters from Amazon's $1bn series.

Who Will Be the Next Personality on Oprah?

After a life spent up in her seat, it seems that Oprah has finally decided to hang up her microphone and give up the...

The Papers: ‘Ping peril’ and pupils isolating ‘needless’on July 23, 2021 at 5:18 am

Concerns over workers and school children being told to isolate continue to dominate the front pages.

Theranos trial: Elizabeth Holmes makes surprise testimonyon November 20, 2021 at 2:25 am

Elizabeth Holmes, the ex-boss of blood testing company Theranos, took the stand in her defence.Image source, Getty ImagesAn entrepreneur accused of scamming investors for...