Poland and the Baltic countries will impose an entry ban on Russians
The four countries stress that this is not a total entry ban, but that legitimate exceptions for dissidents and humanitarian cases have been agreed upon.
On September 8, Poland and the three Baltic states announced a “common approach” to the entry of most Russians with EU visas from the end of this month.
In a joint statement by Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, the “significant and growing influx” of Russians against the background of Russia’s continued unprovoked invasion of Ukraine raises concerns and security issues. Russia it is noted that the entry of its citizens to the Schengen area will be restricted for the purposes of tourism, culture, sports and business.
The four countries emphasize that this is not a complete ban on entry, but that legitimate exceptions for dissidents and humanitarian cases have been agreed upon. It is reported that the bans will come into force in the countries separately from September 19.
EU members heatedly debated a complete ban on Russian visitors last month. Germany and France they said that such a step would backfire. The Scandinavian and Baltic countries were in favor of the ban.
In the statement, the EU will block on August 31 Russia the decision to cancel the simplified visa regime is welcomed, it is called “the first important step”.
“However, sharply limiting the number of issued visas, mainly the number of tourist visas, Europe Flowing into the Union and the Schengen area Russia additional steps are needed to reduce – is emphasized in the statement.
The strongest argument for such a ban is that it would punish all Russians for the war.
“People in Ukraine torture in the EU of the citizens of the aggressor state at a time when he saw and was killed free it is also unacceptable for him to travel,” – the four countries note in their joint statement.
It is also emphasized that among the Russian citizens entering the EU/Schengen territory, there are those who go to attack the security of these countries. “Three quarters of Russian citizens support Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”, – the statement says.
The Russian authorities have criminalized criticism of the war in Ukraine, calling the war “special military operation” is said.
Since the beginning of the occupation, tens of thousands of Russians have left the country. It is believed that some of them are trying to avoid the persecution of the officials, others are trying to avoid the influence of Western sanctions.
Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Warsaw Putin they say that they will support the opponents of the regime, “they will provide them with the opportunity to leave Russia”.