The European Union has begun work on the practical application of visa restrictions against Russian participants in the war against Ukraine, including former ones. This was announced by a senior EU representative at a briefing on Tuesday, September 29, in Brussels.
[Original in Russian, this is a paraphrased automated translation with minimal edits.]
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According to him, the legal basis for these restrictions was laid in the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, but during the negotiations, the EU countries came to the conclusion that it is necessary to further work out the mechanism for applying the ban. “There is still quite a lot of work to be done to see how this ban can be put into practice. This work has already begun, the diplomat said.
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Restrictions for combatants are considered within the framework of the EU sanctions regime, decisions on which are taken unanimously.
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In parallel, the European Union is discussing broader restrictions on the issuance of tourist and short-term visas to citizens of the Russian Federation. This is a separate initiative not directly related to the sanctions mechanism for combatants.
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The EU is discussing a change in legislation that would limit the issuance of visas to entire categories of applicants, for example, citizens of a certain country or persons making non-compulsory trips. According to the current EU Visa Code, each application must be considered individually.
The European Commission is expected to submit a proposal to revise the Visa Code in early 2027. The proposal will have to be agreed upon by the European Parliament and the Council, with the Council deciding by a qualified majority.
It is assumed that after the creation of such a legal framework, the EU will be able to make separate decisions on restrictions for specific categories of applicants, including Russian citizens.
According to a senior EU diplomat, the issue of visa restrictions for Russians is increasingly high on the European agenda and could be raised on October 1 at a meeting of EU interior ministers.
Additional restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats inside the Schengen area are also being discussed. From October 2025, a Russian diplomat leaving the country of his accreditation for another EU country must notify the destination country in advance. It may also require a prior entry permit if the diplomat uses a visa or residence permit issued by another EU state. What additional measures are currently proposed, the representative of the EU did not specify.
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