EU Leaders to Call for Tougher Visa Requirements for Russian Citizens

EU Council leaders plan to call for strengthening visa requirements for Russian citizens, according to reports from the European Parliament. The measure is expected to be included in the conclusions of the EU Council summit scheduled for October 15-16.

The move represents an escalation of the European Union's restrictive measures against Russia in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Tightening visa requirements would add to the extensive sanctions regime that the EU has already implemented against Russia since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

European Parliament sources indicate that the visa tightening measures are aimed at limiting the movement of Russian citizens across EU member states, and also serve as a signal of European solidarity with Ukraine. The measure has broad support among EU member states.

Several EU member states bordering Russia and Belarus have already implemented their own stricter controls on Russian travelers. A unified EU-level approach would harmonize these measures across the bloc.

The EU Council summit, to be held on October 15-16, is expected to address a range of issues related to the war in Ukraine, including defense cooperation, financial aid, and measures to increase pressure on Russia. The visa requirement discussion will be one of several Ukraine-related agenda items.