The foreign ministers of the EU countries are today discussing possible restrictions on the issuing of visas to Russian citizens.
It is considered likely that at the meeting in Prague it will be agreed to completely suspend the still existing European agreement with Russia to facilitate the issuing of visas. This could allow EU states to significantly increase the costs and effort for applicants.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called for an entry ban for Russian tourists. “The time for half-measures is over,” said Kuleba. Such a ban is appropriate, since the majority of Russians support the war of aggression against Ukraine. “Only tough and consistent policies can produce results.”
He also proposed a special arrangement for Russian soldiers who no longer wanted to fight in Ukraine. The message should be: “Save yourself and go. Lay down your arms, surrender to the Ukrainian armed forces and be given the opportunity to start a new life,” said Kuleba.
Schallenberg: “Can’t cancel an entire country”
So far, the agreement that came into force in 2007 after Russia’s attack on Ukraine was officially suspended only for businessmen, government officials and diplomats.
Yesterday Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) spoke out against a complete visa ban for Russians. However, he was open to a debate about lifting the agreement with Moscow on visa facilitation.
“We cannot cancel an entire country. That wouldn’t be wise,” said Schallenberg today in the Ö1 morning journal. The sanctions should be directed against the system of Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin and not against the Russian people. Schallenberg was “quite unhappy” about the open debate within the EU.