Lithuania called on the EU to cancel russian visas ,
Gabrielus Landsbergis ,
KYIV. UkraineGate . 19 . August .2022 l Political News.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, in his column for Pollitico, called on all countries of the European Union to cancel long-term multiple Schengen visas issued to citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus .
Citation
“Together, we must find a common and effective solution to make the visa ban as effective as possible. And it should include a clear “no” to Russian and Belarusian tourists, which will come into force immediately; revocation of long-term multiple-entry visas already issued at least until the end of the war; and the constant reception of those seeking asylum is not a European vacation,” Landsbergis wrote.
Details
The foreign minister of the country noted that due to limited air traffic, Russians use visas from other EU states to enter Europe by land through the Baltic countries. “Thus, EU members who continue to issue tourist visas to Russians not only ignore all the atrocities committed against Ukrainians, but also actually “invite” Russian tourists to the Baltic countries,” Landsbergis said.
At the same time, even if a ban on issuing new permits is adopted, many Russians have already received a large number of multiple-entry visas for a period of three years, the head of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said. Against this background, he called for their cancellation.
Supplement
On August 10, Ukraine called on the countries of the European Union and the “Group of Seven” (G7) to stop issuing visas to Russians. Namely – “to deprive the right to cross international borders until they learn to respect them,” as stated by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
On August 12, it became known that the Czech Republic, which now chairs the EU Council, supported the proposal to ban the issuance of visas throughout the EU for Russian citizens.
At an informal meeting of eu foreign ministers on August 30-31 in Prague, visa restrictions against Russia will be discussed.
Source: Ukrgate
