Russian visa ban ‘not a good idea’ says EU diplomat as thousands flee Putin rule

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Josep Borrell, high representative of foreign affairs, appeared at a conference in Spain to argue for a “selective” visa process.

Russian oligarchs are currently banned from entering the bloc’s territory as part of sanctions packages.

Mr Borrell said: “To forbid entrance to all Russians is not a good idea. We have to be more selective.

“There are many Russians that want to flee the country because they don’t want to live in this situation.

“More than 300,000 Russians have [fled] their country because they don’t want to live under the rule of Putin.

“Are we going to close the door to these Russians? I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

EU foreign ministers are due to meet in Prague next week to discuss the issue of banning Russian travel visas.

Members of the bloc are split over the policy, with Cyprus and Greece in favour of maintaining tourist visas.

However Finland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states have expressed their desire for a full ban for all Russians.

This is in line with President Zelensky’s view, as the Ukrainian leader blasted current sanctions against Moscow as “weak”.

He told the Washington Post: “The most important sanctions are to close the borders — because the Russians are taking away someone else’s land.

“[They should] live in their own world until they change their philosophy.”

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Estonia’s Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu told POLITICO that Schengen visas should be forbidden for Russians until the Kremlin stops its “genocide”.

A Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe.

It enables the holder to travel freely within the Schengen zone between all the countries with no border controls.

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