EU considers tightening entry rules for Russian citizens amid sabotage fears
European politicians, including Kaja Kallas, are calling for stricter controls on Russian citizens entering the EU, citing growing concerns that trained saboteurs may be entering under the guise of tourist visas.
Discussions are intensifying in European political circles about restricting the entry of Russian citizens into the EU. The initiative is also backed by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, according to information compiled by 360TV News.
Some members of the European Parliament fear that Russia may be using tourist visas to send individuals trained by its security services to carry out sabotage operations in Europe. MEP Sandra Kalniete points to a rapidly rising number of sabotage incidents, citing attempts to blow up an aircraft and warehouses belonging to organizations supporting Ukraine. There are also suspicions of Russian involvement in attempts to cause train crashes in Spain and the Netherlands, while in Germany, Russia has been blamed for sabotaging energy networks and sending explosive-laden drones toward Leipzig airport.
Visa restrictions as a possible solution
MEP Mārtiņš Staķis believes current measures, such as closing Russian cultural centers, are insufficient, and proposes at least evaluating a ban on issuing visas. However, a blanket entry ban is not straightforward, since visa policy falls under each member state's authority, and many southern European countries still rely on income from Russian tourists. MEP Roberts Zīle points to the shared nature of the Schengen zone and the collective responsibility it entails, adding that regulation could be possible if the European Commission found a legal basis for it.
Silence from the Russian diaspora
MEPs have also expressed disappointment that Russian citizens living in Europe rarely stage active protests against the war in Ukraine outside Russian embassies. In Berlin, protests did take place — but against the closure of a Russian cultural center instead. Kalniete suggests some Russians may fear reprisals from Russia or feel unable to oppose their own state, adding that a large share of Russians entering Europe may actually support the war. There have also been calls for stricter scrutiny of Russian diplomats and EU-accredited Russian media outlets — Hungary recently expelled ten Russian diplomats, deeming their activities a threat to national security.
