Foreign Minister Tsahkna: Schengen visas for Russian tourists must be banned completely

Foreign Minister Tsahkna: Schengen visas for Russian tourists must be banned completely

“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is now in its fifth year. Russia has shown not the slightest willingness to change course. On the contrary, it has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure, including the energy sector, in an attempt to leave Ukrainians exposed to cold, hunger and darkness before winter,” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. “In the past week alone, Russia attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure nearly 200 times. Nearly 150 people were killed and more than 700 injured.”

“It is unacceptable that, while Russia bombs Ukrainian cities every day and innocent people live under the constant threat of missile attacks, Russian tourists can travel freely in the Schengen area, visit our cafés and restaurants, and enjoy European freedoms. We therefore call on the European Commission and member states to stop issuing visas to Russian citizens for tourism purposes and significantly tighten visa policy across the EU.”

“We must use every means available to increase the cost of aggression until Russia ends its aggression and takes responsibility for the crimes it has committed,” Tsahkna stressed.

In addition to banning visas for tourism purposes, the initiative calls on the European Commission to stop issuing visas to Putin’s inner circle, supporters of individuals sanctioned by the EU, and Russian athletes and sports teams that support the regime’s activities. It also calls on the EU to make swift progress towards imposing an entry ban on individuals who have fought in the Russian armed forces.