EU to tighten visa rules for Russian citizens amid security concerns - As-salamu alaykum
As-salamu alaykum. The European Union announced it will stop issuing multi-entry visas to Russian citizens, citing rising security concerns nearly four years into the conflict in Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said it’s hard to justify starting a war and then expecting to travel freely in Europe. The new approach means Russians will generally need to apply for a fresh visa for each trip, allowing closer scrutiny to reduce any potential security risks. There will still be exceptions for justified cases such as independent journalists and human rights defenders.
The move responds to worries about alleged incidents like air space incursions and unexplained drone sightings across several countries, and follows earlier steps restricting travel by Russian diplomats and suspending visa-facilitation agreements. The EU says visas issued to Russians dropped from over four million before the war to around 500,000 in 2023, though approvals had started creeping up again, especially in popular destinations like France, Spain and Italy.
Some EU members have pushed for tougher limits on ordinary Russian travellers, arguing they shouldn’t enjoy tourism while the conflict continues. Others, including opponents of the Kremlin, warn that broad bans could play into narratives that Europe is hostile to all Russians and urge targeting the inner circle around President Putin instead. The debate continues over how best to balance security, pressure on leadership, and not isolating ordinary people who oppose the war.
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