The Czech Foreign Minister said on August 12, 2022, that the Czech Republic, which presides over the Council of the European Union, will offer the EU countries to consider banning Schengen visas for Russians at the end of August.
Source: Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky
According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Lipavsky, the corresponding ban can become another very effective sanction against the Russian Federation.
“A complete suspension of the issuance of Russian visas by all EU member states can become another very effective sanction.”
He said he would propose the idea at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Prague at the end of August.
“In a time of Russian aggression, which the Kremlin keeps on escalating, there cannot be talks about common tourism for Russian citizens,” he said.
It should be noted that the Czech Republic stopped issuing visas to ordinary Russians as early as February 25, a day after Russia invaded Ukraine.
In addition, Estonia announced tougher restrictions on August 11, saying it will block entry to some 50,000 Russians who had been granted visas by authorities in Tallinn before the war began on February 24.
See also: Estonia closes entry to Russians with valid Schengen visas, but there are exceptions
