Ukraine Urges EU to Ban Russian Visas Amid Sanctions Rush
Ukraine and Baltic allies are pressing the European Union to restrict Russian visas as officials rush to pass a 22nd sanctions package before French elections.
The Ukrainian government and several EU member states are urging the European Union to implement maximum restrictions on non-essential visas for Russian nationals. Andrii Sybiha, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, argued that closing the European door to Russians is a national security necessity to protect the bloc and apply pressure on President Vladimir Putin.
This push for visa bans follows security incidents across Europe, including an arson attack on Starlink infrastructure in Poland and an attempted sabotage at Germany's Leipzig airport. Finland and Estonia have joined the call, with Finnish officials advocating for a complete ban on Russian tourist visas until the war ends. The Council of the EU is currently weighing entry bans for former Russian combatants, diplomats, and tourists.
Simultaneously, EU officials are rushing to adopt a 22nd package of sanctions against Russia. This urgency stems from fears that the bloc could become deadlocked following the next French presidential election, particularly if right-wing politician Marine Le Pen wins. Le Pen has criticized the EU's strategy and called for the suspension of aid to Ukraine.
Negotiations for the latest sanctions have faced internal friction. France has pushed to remove billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the blacklist, while other member states, including Greece, Bulgaria, Germany, and Portugal, have previously secured exemptions for seafood imports, religious leaders, and shipping.
