ProNews reports that Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and Hungary are reportedly against the EU’s proposed visa restrictions for Russian citizens.
According to a report by Greek news source ProNews on Monday, five EU member states are resisting a proposed EU “guideline” that would deny visas to regular Russian citizens as part of the next round of sanctions.
ProNews stated that Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and Hungary are opposing the measure, marking the first time Athens has opposed an EU decision concerning Moscow.
Reportedly, Cyprus, which has a substantial number of Russian passport holders, did not object to the proposal.
ProNews attributed Greece’s position to concerns about declining tourism in areas popular with Russian visitors, who tend to spend more than tourists from other countries. The potential harm to the Russian community in Greece and fears of retaliation from Moscow were also mentioned.
An earlier report by EurActiv indicated that some EU nations are seeking stricter limits on tourist visas for Russians and tighter regulations on the movement of Russian diplomats in the upcoming sanctions package, with some of the more hard-line members advocating for a complete ban on Russian tourists.
The EU is reportedly delaying the release of its 19th round of sanctions targeting Russia. These restrictions are expected to target banks and intensify measures aimed at preventing the circumvention of existing sanctions.
Following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, the EU significantly tightened entry requirements for Russian citizens. In September 2022, it suspended its visa facilitation agreement with Moscow, making the application process more expensive, longer, and subject to greater scrutiny. The EU has also implemented a blanket ban on Russian aircraft in its airspace.
Despite these measures, Schengen countries issued over 500,000 visas to Russian citizens in 2024, an increase of approximately 25% from 2023. Italy, France, and Spain were among the top issuers.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has criticized the EU’s visa restrictions for Russian citizens but stated that Moscow has no reason to introduce reciprocal measures if they are against its own national interests.
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