Latvia is asking on all EU member states to droop the issuance of visas to Russian residents, citing rising safety threats from Moscow, International Minister Baiba Braze introduced on Could 25.
Whereas some EU international locations have restricted or halted visa issuance to Russian residents, others have continued processing functions, protecting a authorized pathway open for Russian journey to the bloc.
"Latvia calls on the EU international locations to halt visa issuance for Russian residents, citing safety issues," Braze posted on X. She famous that the variety of Schengen visas issued to Russian nationals elevated by 25% in 2024 in comparison with the earlier yr.
The Schengen visa permits holders to journey freely throughout 29 European international locations for as much as 90 days in any 180-day interval, enabling short-term visits for tourism, enterprise, or household causes.
Latvia imposed entry restrictions on Russian residents in September 2022 as a part of a jointagreement with Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland. Czechia carried out comparable restrictions in October 2022.
Considerations over the abuse of Schengen visas and diplomatic privileges have grown amid a wave of suspected Russian sabotage and espionage on EU soil.
On April 15, Polish media outlet Rzeczpospolita reported that Poland and Czechia are main a brand new effort to limit the motion of Russian diplomats throughout the Schengen zone.
The initiative, reportedly first proposed in Prague in late 2023, targets people alleged to be working beneath diplomatic cowl whereas serving Russian navy intelligence (GRU) and different safety providers.
EU intelligence and safety companies have warned of mounting Russian sabotage operations, together with a number of arson assaults believed to have been coordinated by Moscow.
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek