There is no unity among EU countries regarding a complete visa ban for Russians, while Germany should prevent the entry of Russian citizens who support the war against Ukraine. This was stated by the head of the European Parliament's security and defense committee, one of the leaders of the German Free Democratic Party, Marie-Agnès Strack-Zimmermann, in an interview with the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper published on Saturday, August 22. "Russian citizens who are not under sanctions still have the opportunity to apply for a visa. Politically, the EU can, of course, decide to impose a complete entry ban," she said. "But Europe is unfortunately politically divided on the issue of a complete entry ban for Russian citizens. France, Italy, and Spain are skeptical about a blanket tightening, while the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, and the Netherlands advocate for a stricter and, above all, a unified European approach." "Germany, unfortunately, has also not yet imposed a complete entry ban for Russian citizens, but it can refuse entry on security grounds," Strack-Zimmermann added. "I share the opinion that those who support Russia in the war against Ukraine should not simultaneously enjoy freedom and protection in Europe."
