Lithuania urged to cancel tourist visas already issued to Russians

Even if the EU bans the issuance of new visas, Russians already have a large number of long-term visas in their hands, Lithuania said, calling for the cancellation of issued permits. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that they would not leave the sanctionsno answerViews of LithuaniaViews of LithuaniaViews of LithuaniaViews of LithuaniaViews of Lithuania

The European Union should immediately cancel Schengen visas already issued to Russians and Belarusians, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said in his column for Politico.

Even if the EU stops issuing visas to Russian tourists, the ban won't solve the problem, he said, as Russians already have a "large number" of multiple-entry visas valid for three years or more. “This means that even without the issuance of new visas, a significant number of tourists will still be able to enjoy the European lifestyle, which, according to the authorities of RUSSIA and Belarus, should be despised and even fought against,” Landsbergis said.

In this regard, the EU countries must find a joint and effective solution that will make the visa ban "as effective as possible," he continued. “And this solution should include an immediate clear no to Russian and Belarusian tourists, the abolition of already issued long-term multiple-entry visas at least until the end [of hostilities in Ukraine], and the continuation of the reception of those who seek asylum, not holidays in Europe,” the minister wrote.

Which countries do not issue Schengen visas to Russians Society

Lithuania, along with Latvia and Estonia, advocated a ban on the issuance of Schengen visas to Russians. Actively discussing this measure in the EU began after Russia opened the land borders that it has, including with the Baltic countries and Finland. After that, these states said that Russian tourists use them as a transit point for trips around Europe. From there, Russians can fly to other EU countries, while this cannot be done from Russia: since the end of February, the European Union, in response to a special operation in Ukraine, has closed the sky for Russian aircraft.

Embassies of European countries estimated the percentage of refusals to Russians in Schengen Politics

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that if the EU or its individual countries ban the issuance of visas to Russians, Moscow will respond to this. In turn, Tatyana Moskalkova, Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia, noted that such a ban by the European Union would grossly violate the fundamental principle of freedom of movement, enshrined in universal and regional international legal acts. And calls for such measures are “manifestations of nationalism and discrimination,” she said.

Read on RBC Pro Pro What are circadian rhythms and how they can help you become more productive ArticlesPro The main thing is not to reach Abibas: what should be the import-substituting brand Articles Pro Thoughts at sea, body in the office:how to get back in line after a vacation Instructions Pro A third of Russians receive either black or gray wages.What they risk Articles Pro Deceptive inaction:what happens to us in a dream Articles Pro Due to what the ruble reached equilibrium and how long it will lastHero of the Republic:how a dentist ran away from his parents and earned $1 billion

See also Alikhanov warned of the consequences for Lithuania due to transit restrictions 07:12