EU States Push for Schengen Ban on Russians Involved in Ukraine War
Baltic, Nordic States & Poland Push for Schengen Ban on Russian War Participants
Poland, along with the Baltic and Nordic countries, is calling for a Schengen-wide ban on Russian nationals who took part in military actions against Ukraine. The proposed move aims to tighten security across the EU and prevent individuals linked to the war from freely entering the borderless Schengen Zone.
Strong Statement from Estonia
“There are hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens who have fought against Ukraine. We must take a clear stance; these individuals cannot freely travel across Schengen,” said Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro.
He emphasized that those involved in the conflict would be denied both Schengen visas and residence permits due to the serious security threat they pose. “This group, which has been killing and destroying, poses a very significant security threat to all of us,” Taro said, as reported by Estonian broadcaster ERR.
Security Measures Intensify
Countries like Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Estonia — all sharing close geographic proximity to Russia — have already implemented stricter entry measures for Russian citizens. These efforts are now escalating, especially in response to Russia’s intensified hybrid tactics, including operations suspected of targeting EU infrastructure.
Latvia Supports a Full Ban
Latvia has gone a step further, demanding that all Schengen member states stop issuing visas to Russian nationals who may jeopardize national security. The broader push is part of a coordinated regional effort to align visa policy with geopolitical risks.
Joint Call to Action
Following a recent high-level meeting, the interior ministers of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and other Nordic countries released a joint statement urging all Schengen states to adopt a unified stance:
“Member States should take all necessary measures to ensure that individuals who are or have been contracted by the Russian armed forces or other armed groups acting on behalf of the regime are not allowed to undermine our security or move freely within the Schengen Area.”
Rising Visa Applications Despite Sanctions
According to recent data from SchengenVisaInfo, Russian citizens continue to rank fifth among all nationalities applying for Schengen visas in 2024. This is despite sanctions and increasing visa restrictions across several EU countries.
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