Leaders of eight EU states call for closing Schengen to former Russian military personnel
The leaders of Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Sweden appealed to the European Union to ban entry into the Schengen area to people who have fought in the Russian army.
In a letter addressed to European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, they called prepare concrete solutions that can be implemented at EU level. Possible steps include targeted amendments to the Visa Code.
“One of the most serious and long-lasting risks is the possible movement of former and current Russian combatants to the Schengen area. Persons who participated in the war as part of the state’s armed forces pose a serious threat to internal security. We invite Member States to join this initiative and strengthen coordinated efforts through closer operational cooperation,” the leaders of the eight states said.
The authors of the appeal also emphasized that EU countries should fully use existing mechanisms to respond to security risks associated with identified former and current combatants from the Russian Federation. This includes, in particular, justified refusals to issue visas and residence permits, as well as the introduction of long-term bans on entry to the entire Schengen area.
