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Germany, France Signal Opposition To Blanket EU Visa Ban For Russians [1]

['Rfe Rl']

Date: 2022-08

A proposal by European Union members to ban tourist visas to Russians over the war in Ukraine appears to be hitting a major hurdle as the bloc's ministers prepare to meet on August 30 in Prague.

France and Germany issued a joint position paper just ahead of the meeting, saying that limiting visas for Russians would be counterproductive as the EU tries to fight for the "hearts and minds" of those Russians who don't support Moscow's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine.

The matter of restricting visas for Russians has gained steam among some EU countries in recent days but an agreement must be reached by all 27 members of the bloc in order for it to become the latest sanction against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

"We should think about smart ways to make use of the important lever of the issuing of visas," the joint paper from Germany and France reads.

"While limiting contacts with regime representatives and authorities to areas of vital EU interest, we need to strategically fight for the 'hearts and minds' of the Russian population -- at least the segments not yet completely estranged from 'the West'," it adds, suggesting that visas remain open to students, artists, scientists, and other key professionals looking to enter the EU.

Countries that share borders with Russia -- the Baltic states, Poland, and Finland -- have led the drive for more restrictive bans on visas for Russian tourists. With air service barred by the EU on flights from Russia, most travelers are using their land borders to travel on to other EU countries.

A 2007 visa agreement to ease EU entry requirements for Russians was partially suspended in late February, targeting people close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, such as Russia's official delegations and holders of diplomatic passports.

But it left so-called “ordinary Russians” to continue to enjoy EU visa-facilitation benefits, such as reduced waiting times and costs and the need to present fewer documents when applying.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy this month called on the EU to cease issuing all visas for Russia citizens to punish Moscow for its attack on his country.

“There has already been a partial suspension [of the visa regime]. And I think there's going to be another step further," European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told RFE/RL in an interview in Prague on August 29.

"But I cannot tell you if it will be a complete [ban]...I would not be in favor of saying no Russians, never, for any reason could go to Europe...But it's up to the EU ministers to decide,” the bloc's top diplomat added.

Borrell is also looking to get approval at the informal meeting of ministers in Prague to begin working on an EU military training mission for Ukraine.

With reporting in Prague by RFE/RL's Rikard Jozwiak, dpa, Reuters and AP

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[1] Url: https://www.rferl.org/a/russians-eu-visa-ban-prague-meeting-ukraine/32010477.html

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