There will definitely not be a ban common to the EU on the issuance of Schengen visas to all Russians. But a number of countries have already introduced or are ready to introduce significant restrictions.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Burbok demonstrated a willingness to compromise in the European debate on providing Russian citizens with tourist visas for entry into the Schengen area. Burbok stated this on Friday, August 26, in Copenhagen during a conversation with the head of the Danish Foreign Ministry, Jeppe Kofod, reports DW.
The Office of the Federal Chancellor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany agree “that with joint efforts in Europe we will find a solution” that will allow taking into account the “justified” fears and aspirations of all parties, Burbock noted.
At the same time, according to her, it is important that in a situation of a brutal aggressive war “not to wave the hand forever at 140 million people in Russia” and not to hold everyone responsible for the war unleashed by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
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Annalena Berbock emphasized that the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, never said that a joint ban for Russians to enter the EU should be introduced. : “This is Putin's war, and therefore it is very difficult for me to agree with this idea,” he said two weeks ago during a summer press conference.
Read also: “I can't imagine Ukrainian refugees serving a table for tourists from Russian Federation” — a member of the European Parliament approved a visa ban for Russians
Nevertheless, the countries that are part of the European Union and border with Russia can ban Russian tourists from entering their territory, if the EU does not adopt a unified decision on restrictions. On August 23, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielus Landsbergis announced the plans of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland.
“I spoke with ministers from all these countries… I don't see major political differences,” he said. he told journalists in Vilnius.
The head of the Foreign Ministry of Latvia also noted that he intends to discuss the regional visa ban with colleagues from four countries within the framework of the EU Council on August 29. At the same time, these countries are supposed to refuse entry to tourists from the Russian Federation, but to let in dissidents, he noted.
Read also: There will be no tourist “ban” for Russians, but the EU may increase the amount of contributions for them and increase terms of issuing visas — Bloomberg
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“There should be no Russian tourists in the European Union… Their country is committing genocide (in Ukraine – Ed.),” Landsbergis emphasized.
