Ukraine: the EU will discuss a visa ban for Russians at the end of August

Europe 1 with AFP 4:37 p.m., August 12, 2022

A visa ban for all Russians to punish Moscow for the war in Ukraine will be discussed by the European Union at the end of August, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, whose country chairs the EU Council, said on Friday. .

The measure, demanded by the Ukrainian authorities, divides the EU.

European sanctions must be adopted unanimously by the Twenty-Seven.

"There can be no question of tourism as usual"

"A total ban on Russian visas by all EU member states could be another very effective sanction against Russia," argued Jan Lipavsky.

The 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.

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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.

Proposals for sanctions are one of its prerogatives.

"We cannot currently deny entry to people with a visa from another country in the Schengen area. We are looking for options", recently stressed Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas who supports a general prohibition.

“So let Russian tourists enjoy Russia”

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.

But the Commission does not hide its reservations about 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 applications on a case-by-case basis on their merits,” recalled one of its spokespersons.

"Russians overwhelmingly support the war, applaud missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and murders of Ukrainians. So let Russian tourists enjoy Russia," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kouleba pleaded in a post on Twitter. .

This is Russia's, not just Putin's war.

Not Putin, but actual Russian soldiers come from Russia to kill, torture and destroy.

Russians overwhelmingly support the war, cheer missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and murder of Ukrainians.

Let Russian tourists enjoy Russia then.

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) August 11, 2022

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The Czech Republic stopped issuing visas to Russians on 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 late February. .