Poland’s deputy foreign minister, Piotr Wawrzyk, told the country’s PAP news agency on Sunday that Warsaw is now working on a draft proposal that would empower the EU to deny visas to passengers from Russia. Within the upcoming weeks, a choice should be made, he stressed.
The idea, which is still in the works, has a purpose, according to the deputy minister, who did not go into further detail. These important EU countries are likely to oppose a blanket visa restriction for all Russians.
The 2007 agreement between Brussels and Moscow on “the facilitation of the issuing of visas” should be completely suspended, according to Poland. This agreement governs how Russian and EU individuals can obtain visas “for a planned stay of no more than 90 days each period of 180 days.”
Wawrzyk asserts that not all EU members support this initiative, nevertheless. Large member states like Germany, France, and the Netherlands are opposed to this, he said. The agreement cannot be suspended since it is “difficult to overcome the resistance of these countries… Poland is developing a fresh approach, he continued.
The deputy minister stated that Warsaw has already held discussions with some EU members “for several weeks” and added that Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, along with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, share Poland’s perspective on the matter. In the upcoming weeks, a decision should be made, according to Wawrzyk.
The deputy minister applauded Tallinn’s and Riga’s initiatives to stop or restrict the granting of visas to Russian citizens. Better late than never, he added, pointing out that Poland hasn’t been giving Russian tourists permits for some months. Only diplomats, truck drivers going to Poland for business, and relatives of Polish and EU citizens are allowed entry into Warsaw.
The Czech Republic, which now holds the rotating presidency of the EU, declared earlier this week that it would advocate for a broad EU ban on Russians. In late August, the bloc’s members will meet in Prague for a ministerial summit to tackle the problem.
Invoking security concerns, Latvia stopped providing visas to almost all Russian citizens earlier this month. On Thursday, Estonia declared that it will follow suit. Additionally, starting on August 18, Tallinn intends to prohibit Russian nationals with valid Estonian visas from entering. Last week, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas called visiting the EU “a privilege, not a human right” and urged other members to do the same.
The same-minded Finnish government is scheduled to consider potential restrictions on providing visas to Russians on Tuesday, according to the Finnish YLE television.
Germany is one of the few EU countries that has so far objected to such a move. Olaf Scholz, the chancellor, raised doubt over a prospective blanket ban, claiming it would weaken the impact of other measures by focusing on “innocent individuals.”
The suggested actions have been denounced by Moscow as “flagrant nationalism” and “xenophobic.” The Kremlin also underlined its desire for “common sense” to win out in the long run.
RELATED ARTICLES
- After Fooling the People to Reelect Putin, Russia now announces More Cannon Fodder Mobilizations
- Russia Fires Barrage of North Korean Missiles at Kyiv After US Visit
- Ex-Wagner fighters Join Free Russia Army's Battle to Liberate Russia from Putin Occupation
- Hungary Becomes First EU Country to Congratulate Putin for Winning the 'Elections'
- EU to use Russian assets to buy arms for Ukraine
Loading ...
