Moscow Braces for “Iron Curtain” as EU Moves Toward Full Schengen Visa Ban

Head of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects at Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development stated that European Union member states could move toward a full suspension of Schengen visa issuance for Russian citizens, following recent restrictions on multiple-entry visas, The Moscow Times reported, citing Russian media on November 12.

“There’s always a risk. Tightening measures continue, and visa processing times are getting longer—this is expected,” Kondratyev told the state news agency TASS.

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He urged Russians to remain calm about the possibility, saying the country has “everything needed to replace European holidays,” and that domestic tourism is “no worse.”

Leonid Slutsky, head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) and a Russia’s State Duma deputy, said Russian citizens should begin preparing for a “sanctions-era Iron Curtain.”

Previously, it was reported that over the past four years alone, 131 Russians or post-Soviet nationals linked to Moscow have been detained in Europe for espionage, sabotage, and other hybrid operations.

Earlier, the European Commission had introduced a new set of stricter regulations governing the issuance of visas to Russian Federation citizens by European Union Member States.

This policy adjustment is a direct consequence of elevated security risks attributed to Russia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine, as reported by the European Commission’s press service.

“From now on, Russian nationals will no longer be able to receive multiple-entry visas. This means Russian nationals will have to apply for a new visa each time they plan to travel to the EU, allowing for close and frequent scrutiny of applicants to mitigate any potential security risk.” the statemnet read.

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