Poland and the three Baltic countries are considering unilaterally banning or restricting the visas they grant to Russian nationals, if there is no agreement to do so at European level. This is what they announced on Wednesday August 31. European foreign ministers, meeting in Prague on Wednesday, are divided on the possibility of banning or reducing access to the European Union for Russian tourists to punish them for the war in Ukraine, as claimed by kyiv.
In the absence of a consensus on restrictions concerning Schengen visas, which requires the unanimity of the Member States, the Twenty-Seven could agree on the total suspension of the agreement concluded in 2007 between the EU and Moscow and providing facilities for issuing short-stay visas (a simplified and faster procedure).
After the outbreak of the conflict, this agreement had been partially suspended by the EU for certain Russian citizens linked to the regime (official delegations, holders of diplomatic passports, business leaders, etc.), but the others continued to benefit from it. Without these facilities, the classic procedure for obtaining a Schengen visa, which is longer and more expensive, will apply.
In a joint statement seen by AFP, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, all bordering Russia, said the total suspension would mark “a necessary first step” but it was necessary “drastically limit the number of visas issued, especially tourist visas, to reduce the flow of Russian citizens to the EU and the Schengen area”.
“Until such measures are in place at EU level, we … will consider introducing temporary visa bans or entry restrictions at national level for Russian citizens. holders of an EU visa”they add, while defending exceptions “for dissidents and other humanitarian cases”.