Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were set to begin imposing a ban on most Russians with EU visas entering their countries on September 19, taking all four beyond the limitations recently agreed upon by all 27 EU members
Russian citizens with a Schengen visa for tourist, business, sports, or cultural purposes are now barred from entering any of the four nations.
Switzerland similarly announced that it would stop streamlined visa procedures for Russians on the same day.
Earlier this month, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland issued a joint statement citing increased security and other worries about a “substantial and growing influx” of Russians as a result of Russia’s ongoing aggressive invasion of Ukraine.
Poland and the Baltic states stated that their respective national bans were “not an outright entry ban, and commonly agreed legitimate exceptions will remain in force for dissidents, humanitarian cases,” and a few other circumstances such as Russian diplomatic missions and familial ties.
In August, EU countries considered a near-complete ban on Russian tourists, with Germany and France arguing that such a move would be unhelpful and Nordic and Baltic states leading the supporters.
The EU halted its visa-facilitation deal with Russia on August 31 as a “necessary first step.” /RFERL
