Austria is skeptical about a possible entry ban for Russian tourists and considers it counterproductive. “With a general visa freeze, existing contacts with Russian civil society would hardly be possible. This would exclude civil society and members of the opposition, but also, for example, relatives of Austrians from the EU,” the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday at the APA request.
Countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, the Baltic States or Scandinavian countries such as Finland and Denmark had spoken out in favor of a visa ban or in some cases already restricted entry for Russian citizens. “I find it deeply shameful that Russian tourists can sunbathe in southern Europe and live in the lap of luxury while Ukrainian cities are being bombed beyond recognition,” said Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod. Germany and Slovenia, among others, spoke out against a ban.