Russians face EU travel curbs to prevent hybrid attacks
Tighter visa rules are expected to be proposed in January to bolster EU defenses against Russian threats.
In response to concerns over hybrid attacks, EU officials are drafting proposals to tighten visa rules for Russian tourists. Countries like Poland, Sweden, and Estonia are pushing for stricter regulations, particularly for former Russian fighters who served in Ukraine. Last year, 478,000 Schengen area tourist visas were granted to Russian citizens, many of which were multiple-entry visas.
Sweden's Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer highlighted the vulnerability of Europe's system and expressed eagerness for a more stringent visa regime, ideally sooner rather than later in January. Estonia has suggested a ban on ex-soldiers from Russia's armed forces, with around 650,000 of these former combatants in total. Despite a recent dip in Russian visa applications, Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner stresses the need for stricter controls, urging member states to be more vigilant and issue fewer visas to Russian citizens.
He believes that identifying potential threats, even among tourists, is crucial. In June, nine EU countries, along with Iceland and Norway, requested a more uniform approach to Russian visas across all member states, emphasizing the importance of a cohesive security strategy against Russian Federation activities.
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