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Latvia Urges EU to Stop Issuing Visas to Russians, Citing Security Threat

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Amira Barkhush
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Latvia Urges EU to Stop Issuing Visas to Russians, Citing Security Threat
Anti-tank hedgehogs and concrete blocks are seen during a press tour to present military reinforcement measures near the border of Latvia with Russia, on August 16, 2024 in Karsava, Latvia. (Source: Getty Images)

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže called on European Union member states to halt the issuance of visas to Russian nationals, citing security concerns. The statement was published on the social platform X on May 27.

According to Schengen News, the number of Schengen visas issued to holders of Russian passports in 2024 has risen by 25% compared to 2023.

In a Schengen News article, dated back to March 6, Latvian Minister of the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis emphasized the broader implications of the issue, stating that EU countries must acknowledge they are operating under hybrid warfare conditions.

“In Latvia, this affects the daily work of security institutions both on the border and within the country. Therefore, I call on all member states to seriously recognize the threat. Denying such a service is our moral duty,” he said.

Latvia imposed entry restrictions on Russian citizens in September 2022 as part of a coordinated measure with Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland. Czechia introduced comparable restrictions in October 2022.

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