The EU is once again discussing a travel ban on Russian former combatants
On September 2, during an informal meeting in Wicklow, Ireland, EU foreign ministers revisited the issue of banning Russian former combatants from entering the European Union. The initiative received broad support among the meeting’s participants.
The EU is once again discussing a travel ban on Russian militants and restrictions on issuing visas to tourists from Russia.
“There was broad support for imposing an entry ban on former Russian combatants into the EU and tightening visa restrictions for Russian tourists,” Kallas said, summarizing the results of the discussions among EU foreign ministers.
At the request of journalists, she commented on reports that one of the Russians suspected of attempting to blow up a Ukrainian passenger plane at the Leipzig airport had entered the EU on a tourist visa issued by Italy.
“If this is true—and, of course, this must be confirmed or denied by the German authorities—it clearly shows that visas are a tool for those who aim to harm the European Union to gain entry into the European Union,” the EU’s top diplomat emphasized.
She stressed that “it is abnormal for a country to be bombing Ukraine, killing more civilians in July and August than at any other time during this war — and at the same time, Russians are entering and enjoying the hospitality of European countries.”
According to the official, “this should not be the case, and many member states have already emphasized this.”
“In fact, such tourist visas are being used for acts of sabotage, since these people need to get into the European Union. Therefore, I hope… that this will also convince certain member states that opposed the introduction of visa restrictions that, in fact, it is our security that is under threat, just as Ukraine’s security is,” said Kaja Kallas
As reported by “European Truth,” Italy’s foreign minister has already responded to the information regarding the Italian visa held by the suspect in the Leipzig attack.
According to a “European Truth” correspondent, this was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
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 Foreign Ministry called for tougher sanctions following Russia’s attack on a tanker near Romania.
The EU will impose sanctions on Belarusian oil refineries for supplying gasoline to Russia.
