EU considers tighter visa rules for Russian citizens

The European Union is considering tightening the conditions for issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens and introducing additional restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats within the bloc, amid accusations of espionage and acts of sabotage attributed to Moscow.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that around 40% of employees at Russian diplomatic missions in the EU are allegedly involved in espionage activities. The official argued that measures previously adopted to put pressure on Russia are no longer sufficient, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

“Every time Russia started a fire [an act of sabotage], we would close a Russian consulate. But we have run out of consulates that we can close,” Sikorski said.

The new measures are being discussed amid allegations of Russian involvement in sabotage operations across Europe. Talks on a new sanctions package intensified after Germany accused Russia of allegedly attempting to attack Leipzig Airport with drones.

European intelligence and security services say they cannot always prevent such operations, partly because of the limited powers they have in certain situations.

At the same time, European authorities point out that a significant proportion of sabotage acts are carried out by citizens of EU member states or third countries who have been recruited by Russian intelligence services in exchange for financial rewards. As a result, possible visa restrictions on Russian citizens would represent only one of the measures under consideration.

A new European sanctions package could also include additional vessels suspected of being part of the “shadow fleet” used to transport Russian oil, in an effort to limit Moscow’s revenues from energy exports.

Photo: Chat GPT