ЄС prepares new visa restrictions for Russians due to the threat of sabotage
The European Commission is preparing proposals to strengthen visa rules for Russian citizens amid fears of hybrid attacks, sabotage and sabotage in ЄС countries.
This is reported by Politico.
According to the publication, the European Commission plans to submit new proposals at the beginning of 2027 year. To strengthen the rules call, in particular, Poland, Sweden and Estonia.
Special attention is offered to the Russians who participated in the war against Ukraine.
Minister of Justice Швеції Гуннар Строммер said that the current system has vulnerabilities that can be used by enemy states. According to him, against the background of sabotage, arson and other hybrid operations, the issue of strengthening control takes on special importance.
According to Strommer, the European Commission can submit its proposals in January. Sweden at the same time advocates that this should happen earlier.
Окремо Естонія proposes to ban the entry to ЄС of the former Russian military. Foreign Minister Маргус Цахкна said that we are talking about about 650 thousands of former combatants.
According to him, effective control requires a joint approach at the level of the entire European Union.
ЄС has already created a legal basis for denying short-term visas to Russian military and former military personnel who directly participated in hostilities against Ukraine. However, the practical application of this ban requires a separate solution after the completion of implementation procedures.
The European Commission has also previously stated that visa policy can be used as a tool to respond to hybrid attacks and other security threats. The new visa strategy ЄС expressly provides for the possibility of targeted restrictions for certain categories of third-country nationals.
We will remind, 10 October Prime Minister Фінляндії Петтері Орпо said that he will bring to the meeting of the European Council a proposal to stop the issuance of tourist visas to Russians.
