Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said around 12 million Russian nationals currently hold valid Schengen visas.
Concerned about European Union regional security, Gabrielius Landsbergis said after the two-day meeting held in Prague that millions of Russian citizens holding valid Schengen visas are “a problem” not only for Russia’s neighboring countries but also for others, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Given the high number of Russians holding Schengen visas as well as the border crossings carried out by them since February 24Landsbergis, along with the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Poland, have said they are considering introducing a national visa ban or limiting border crossings by Russians.
The Minister explained that by introducing stricter restrictions, Lithuania and the other Baltic States as well as Poland want to create more security in the regions, because, according to them, the high number of border crossings from Russia could become a serious threat to the public safety of every EU country.
“During the discussions, we managed to convince all EU countries that millions of Russian citizens with Schengen visas are a problem not only for countries bordering Russia, but also for the regional security of the EU. EU. Together with Estonia, Latvia and Poland, in the coming weeks we will seek to find solutions that will significantly limit the flow of Russian tourists,” he added. Landsbergis said.
The EU foreign minister agreed on August 31 to suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia. However, such a measure was not considered sufficient by the Baltic States and Poland.
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said suspending the visa facilitation deal alone is not enough.
However, he pointed out that even if they decided to impose a visa ban at the national level, Estonia would still allow entry to Russian nationals entering on humanitarian grounds. Opposition members and protesters will also continue to be allowed to enter Estonia.
Earlier in August, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that approximately one million Russian nationals entered the EU through land border crossing points from February 24 to August 22.. According to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), most Russians who entered the EU during this period held valid Schengen visas, dual citizenship or residence permits.
Data provided by Frontex shows that Finland recorded the highest number of border crossings made by Russians. From February 24 to August 22, Finland recorded 328,185 regular entries.
Estonia, Poland and Latvia also recorded a high number of legal entries of Russian nationals.
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