EU to Tighten Russian Visa Rules by 2025, No Full Ban Planned

EU authorities plan to tighten visa rules for Russian citizens by the end of 2025, though a complete ban on tourist visas is not on the agenda, EU Commissioner for Security and Migration Magnus Brunner said at a press conference, which was broadcast on the Finnish government’s YouTube channel during a visit to Finland on September 15.

“Visa issuance has dropped sharply over the past years—from 4 million to 500,000. Because visas are handled by individual member states, the EU cannot impose a total ban,” Brunner explained.

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He added that in some EU countries, the number of visas issued to Russians is beginning to rise, prompting discussions with those states about potential restrictions.

Some EU nations have previously called for a full ban on Russian tourist entry, though Brunner confirmed that the bloc will focus on further limiting visa issuance rather than halting it entirely.

Previously, it was reported that a Russian-crewed cargo vessel has come under investigation after its movements coincided with drone incursions over German military installations.

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