The Minister of the Interior of Latvia has called on European Union (EU) member countries to halt the issuance of Schengen tourist visas to Russian nationals. According to Minister Rihards Kozlovskis, a complete travel ban is needed since the visitors from Russian Federation represent a risk to the national security of the bloc.
During a presentation of the Schengen Barometer data for 2024 in Brussels yesterday, Kozlovskis stated that the European Union must acknowledge that Russia is conducting a “hybrid war” with the West, and it impacts the operational effectiveness of security institutions both at the borders and within member states.
He called on the EU to fully recognize the potential threat posed by Russian visitors to the internal security of the bloc, asserting that implementing a comprehensive visa ban is a “moral obligation.” According to Kozlovskis, Latvia has already experienced illegal border crossings and acts of sabotage, which include the arson of the Occupation Museum, drone incursions across the border, and attempts to manipulate public opinion through propaganda.
Following Russia’s unprovoked brutal full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022, the European Union has completely halted its visa facilitation agreement with Russia and implemented travel restrictions. Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, and the Czech Republic, have completely stopped issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens. Norway, which shares a land border with Russia and is not a member of the EU, has also closed its border to Russian tourists and other ‘non-essential’ visitors.
The Czech parliament has also passed a law requiring Russians to renounce their citizenship before applying for citizenship of the Czech Republic. Once in force, the bill will require Russian passport holders seeking citizenship in the Czech Republic to first renounce their Russian citizenship. Applicants will have to provide official written proof that their Russian citizenship has been renounced before the process can proceed.
But according to Schengen Barometer tracker, despite the sanctions imposed on Russian nationals, the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian visa applicants has increased 25% last year compared to 2023, exceeding a total of 500,000, with Italy emerging as the leading country in terms of approving visa applications from Russian citizens. In 2024 Italy issued 134,141 tourist visas to Russian nationals, representing 28% of all submissions, and established itself as the primary Schengen Area destination for Russian visitors.
