The European Union is considering a visa ban for all Russians
“The total ban on Russian visas by all EU member states could be another very effective sanction against Russia,” pleaded the head of Czech diplomacy.
REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
A visa ban for all Russians to punish Moscow for the war in Ukraine will be discussed at the end of August by the European Union.
This was said on Friday by the head of Czech diplomacy Jan Lipavsky, whose country chairs the Council of the EU.
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This measure, demanded by the Ukrainian authorities, divides the EU.
European
sanctions
must be adopted unanimously by the Twenty-Seven.
"
A total ban on Russian visas by all EU member states could be another very effective sanction against Russia
," argued Jan Lipavsky.
The Czech Foreign Minister will sound out his counterparts during an informal meeting at the end of August in Prague.
“
In this period of Russian aggression, which the Kremlin continues to intensify, there can be no question of tourism as usual for Russian citizens
,” he argued.
The Czech minister must however convince the head of European diplomacy, the Spaniard Josep Borrell, who chairs the Councils of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence.
The proposals for sanctions are one of its prerogatives: “
We cannot currently prohibit entry to people with a visa from another country in the Schengen area.
We are looking for options
,” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas recently stressed, supporting a blanket ban.
Finland is also advocating for a European decision, as the country's legislation does not allow a total ban on visas based on nationality.
An important transit country for Russians, it wants to reduce tourist visas, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said in early August.
The need to protect dissidents and journalists
The Commission does not hide its reluctance regarding a measure that would penalize all Russian nationals and insists on the need to protect dissidents, journalists and families: "
Member States have a large margin for issuing visas for short stays and they examine requests on a case-by-case basis on the basis of their merits
, ”recalled one of its spokespersons.
“
The Russians massively support the war, applaud the missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and the murders of Ukrainians.
So let Russian tourists enjoy Russia
,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kouleba pleaded in a message on Twitter.
The Czech Republic stopped issuing visas to Russians as early as February 25, the day after
Russia
invaded Ukraine .
The EU has adopted six sets of sanctions against Moscow, including stopping its purchases of coal and oil.
It has also added more than a thousand Russians, including President Vladimir Putin and many oligarchs, to its blacklist of those banned from entering and has restricted the issuance of short-stay visas for officials linked to the regime since the end of February. .
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To read also:
Entry into force of the European embargo on Russian coal
(
With
AFP)
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