The EU foreign ministers are discussing a visa freeze for Russian citizens. Austria’s Foreign Minister is “quite unhappy” about the public debate within the EU.
The foreign ministers of the EU states will discuss possible restrictions on the issuing of visas to Russian citizens on Wednesday. It is considered likely that at the meeting in Prague it will be agreed to completely suspend the still existing European agreement with Russia to facilitate the issuing of visas. This could allow EU states to significantly increase the costs and workload for applicants.
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called for an entry ban for Russian tourists. “The time for half-measures is over,” Kuleba said in an email to Reuters news agency on Wednesday, the second day of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Prague. Such a ban is appropriate, since the majority of Russians support the war of aggression against Ukraine. “Only a hard and consistent policy can lead to results.” He also proposed a special arrangement for Russian soldiers who no longer wanted to fight in Ukraine. The message should be: “Save yourself and go. Lay down your arms, surrender to the Ukrainian armed forces and be given the opportunity to start a new life,” Kuleba said.
So far, the agreement that came into force in 2007 after Russia’s attack on Ukraine was officially suspended only for businessmen, government officials and diplomats. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) spoke out against a complete visa ban for Russians. However, he was open to a debate about lifting the agreement with Moscow on visa facilitation.
Schallenberg for compromise
“We can’t cancel an entire country. That wouldn’t be wise,” said Schallenberg on Wednesday in the Ö1 “Morgenjournal”. The sanctions should be directed against the system of Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin and not against the Russian people. It would be conceivable to withdraw existing visa facilitation for Russians. “But cutting all lines, throwing the baby out with the bathwater, I don’t know if that would be wise.”
It is clear that there are different positions, according to Schallenberg, “we will discuss them very intensively today”. The foreign minister was “quite unhappy” about the open debate within the EU. Europe gave the picture of disagreement, which was being exploited by Russian propaganda.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock proposed on Tuesday to suspend an existing visa agreement with Russia. Then, before issuing an entry permit, the EU states could check the reasons for applying for a visa and how close an applicant is to the government in Moscow. She is also concerned that Russians who are critical of the regime can continue to travel abroad. It is important “that we don’t punish them now”.
>>> Foreign Minister Schallenberg in the Ö1 “Morgenjournal”
(APA/dpa/Reuters)