Germany, France reject visa ban for Russians

EU ministers will meet today in Prague, the Czech Republic, to discuss this proposal.

France and Germany have issued a joint statement shortly before the meeting, saying that the issue of visa restrictions for Russians would be counterproductive, while the EU is trying to win “-hush and Russian minds” who do not support Moscow's unprotested aggression against Ukraine.

The visa ban issue for Russians has been currentised in recent days by several EU states, but a unanimous decision of the 27 member states is needed in order to turn into new sanctions against Russia due to Ukraine's invasion.

“We need to think of wise ways to use this important leverage, which is visa issuing”, was said in the joint statement of Germany and France.

“As long as we limit contact with representatives of the regime and authorities on topics of EU vital interest, we have to fight strategically to win the hearts and minds of the Russian population -- at least those segments that have not completely disconnected from the West”, the two states said, suggesting that the bloc should continue to provide visas for students, artists, scientists and other key professionals who want to enter the EU.

States that share the border with Russia -- the states of Baltic, Poland and Finland -- are initiators for establishing restrictions on launching tourist visas for the Russians. While the EU has placed stops on flights from Russia, most travelers use land borders to travel to the bloc's states.

A 2007 agreement has enabled easing EU visa criteria from the Russians, but this agreement has been partially suspended in late February, unable to travel to the bloc with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But ordinary Russians were not affected by this ban and they still enjoy relief from this agreement, which lowers the waiting and cost time, but also requires fewer visa application documents.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the EU to stop issuing visas to all Russian citizens in order to punish Moscow for its unprotested invasion of his state.

But during an interview for Radio Free Europe, EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell said 29 August that “has had a partial suspension of” as far as the visa regime is concerned.

I wouldn't say no Russian could ever go to Europe for any reason. But it is up to the ministers to decide”, he said.

Borrell also said he expects to get the approval of EU ministers meeting in Prague, as well as for starting work on a Ukrainian Army training mission. / REL/