The EU may tighten entry restrictions for Russians following the attack in Germany
The European Union is discussing tightening entry restrictions for Russian citizens following an attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. EU countries also supported a travel ban on Russian former combatants.
According to her, the foreign ministers of EU countries expressed broad support for further tightening visa restrictions on Russians. Specifically, this involves stricter rules for issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens.
Separately, EU countries supported the idea of banning Russian former combatants—Russian citizens who participated in the war against Ukraine—from entering the EU. At the same time, no final decisions have yet been made regarding specific restrictions or the timing of their implementation.
“There was broad support for moving forward with an EU entry ban on Russian former combatants and stricter visa restrictions for Russian tourists,” Kallas stated. She also noted that not all EU countries currently support further tightening of visa policies toward Russians. Therefore, member states still need to agree on the details before a final decision can be made.
The issue of visa restrictions became part of a broader discussion of the EU’s response to Russia’s hybrid actions in Europe. Ministers also discussed new sanctions against Moscow. According to Kallas, sanctions are being prepared against approximately 1,600 Russian individuals and companies linked to the Russian military-industrial complex.
This was stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas following a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
The EU is once again discussing a travel ban on Russian ex-combatants.
EU ambassadors have postponed a decision on extending sanctions against Russia.
The EU has published a full list of new sanctions against Russia.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for tougher sanctions following Russia’s attack on a tanker near Romania.
The EU will impose sanctions against Belarusian oil refineries for supplying gasoline to Russia.
