The EU is divided on the ban on Russian tourists

Ukraine demands from the European Union to veto the entry Russian tourists to the bloc, but the reaction was not unanimous: some members accepted it, while others resisted.

Some countries bordering Russia already limit the number of visa applications or limit the number of visas issued, but there is no unanimous decision or position at the community level.

The issue will be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Prague on 31 August.

Ukrainian order

“The Russians overwhelmingly support the war, celebrating the rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities and the killing of Ukrainians. Then let Russian tourists enjoy Russia,” Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Dmitry Kuleba said.

Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, also called on Western countries to close their borders to Russians, assuring The Washington Post they should “live in their own world until they change their philosophy.”

An outraged Kremlin called the request “irrational” and threatened retaliation.

Support from Finland and the Baltic States

Eastern countries Europe how Latvia, Lithuania and Poland stopped issuing tourist visas to Russians immediately after the invasion began in late February.

Estonia has gone even further and denies entry even to those Russians who already have visas issued by its services, and is trying to do the same with those who received these permits in other states European Union.

Finland, the European country with the longest border with Russia, will reduce the number of Russian tourist visas they manage from September 1 to 10% of the thousands they receive daily. A full nationality veto is not possible under Finnish law.

This measure will have an impact: given the closure of EU airspace to flights from Russiathe citizens of this country used the land connection with Finland to travel to other European countries.

Visa for the Schengen area

Russian travelers often use visas for the Schengen area, which are usually valid in the 22 EU countries and neighboring countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. They usually allow stays of up to 90 days within 180 days.

A total of 26 countries received about 3 million applications for Schengen visa last year. The Russians represented the largest group, 536,000, of which only 3% were rejected.

Estonia wants to change the community rules to be able to deny Russians Schengen visas regardless of the country in which they were issued.

But Cyril Bret of the Jacques Delors Institute predicts “little chance” that the ban will be passed at the community level, even if public opinion in the countries is in its favor.

no full support

EU sanctions require the unanimity of 27 member states, and the latest package of measures has been difficult to pass, especially because of the objections of Hungary, which maintains ties with Moscow.

The Czech Republic, which temporarily holds the EU presidency, does not support a total veto, although it included this issue on the agenda of the meeting on August 31 and admitted that it is not advisable to behave normally with Russian tourists “in times of aggression.” “

Prague says it wants to continue allowing Russian journalists and other civilians who fear persecution in their country to enter. This clause is accepted by the rest of the countries in favor of the right of veto, even Ukraine. (AFP)