Finland calls for EU tourist visa ban on Russians until Moscow ends war against Ukraine as bloc weighs tougher restrictions
As suspected Russian sabotage and other hybrid operations spread across Europe, EU officials are weighing tighter restrictions on Russian travel, diplomats, and former combatants to reduce security risks.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has urged the European Union to halt issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens until Russia ceases its war against Ukraine. Valtonen urged the bloc to adopt a unified policy, as the EU considers broader restrictions on Russian diplomats, tourists, and former combatants amid a surge in hybrid threats.
Russian hybrid operations have intensified in recent months, with suspected sabotage, arson attacks, and covert activities targeting infrastructure and undermining security. Finland banned visas for non-essential travel by Russians in 2022 and proposed the same restriction be adopted at the EU level. Valtonen invited other EU member states to join a joint letter to the European Commission proposing a complete ban on Russian tourist visas until Russia ends its aggression.
In addition to this, the letter suggests barring Schengen visas for Putin's inner circle, restricting visas for Russian athletes, and enforcing an EU-wide visa ban on former Russian combatants. EU foreign ministers discussed these proposals during a meeting in Luxembourg on October 12th, with the bloc considering reducing the number of tourist visas issued to Russians, restricting Russian diplomats' movements, and accelerating entry bans for former combatants.
Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki emphasized the need for tighter rules due to coordinated acts of sabotage and subversion potentially originating from Russian diplomatic missions.
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