Estonian Minister Criticizes Hungary Easing Entry Restrictions for Russian and Belarusian Citizens

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna has sharply criticized Hungary's new immigration system, which significantly eased entry restrictions for Russian and Belarusian citizens to the Schengen area.

"This is very bad, this movement is in the wrong direction, and it is also a direct threat to the internal security of Europe because people can come from Russia and Belarus with completely different goals,” Tsakhna said in a commentary to ERR. “And since Schengen is an area of ​​free movement, this issue concerns not only the territory Hungary, these persons in today's conditions will have freedom of movement in Europe, including, for example, coming to Estonia."

Tsahkna emphasized that this step will significantly increase the probability the ability of Russia to organize all kinds of hybrid operations in the countries of the European Union.

"For me, this is a much broader question. Orbán and Hungary are simply not playing on the same team as us. He [Orbán] is playing on the opposite team today, although he is a member of the European Union," Tsakhna commented.

Tsahkna noted that the procedure under the seventh article has been initiated in the European Union, as a result of which Hungary's right to vote may be suspended.

"I think we need to move forward here because some concrete conclusions need to be drawn. And this is not just about this one decision, but about the broader picture," Tsahkna said.