Josep Borrell Says EU Cannot Impose Full Russian Travel Ban

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A total Russian travel ban, endorsed by several EU states, will not gain approval, says the EU foreign policy chief.

Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, will not consider the total Russia travel ban that several EU states are pushing for it. The bloc foreign policy chief said it lacked support from other states and is unlikely to gain traction.

Brussels Disagrees With Russian Travel Ban

A few nations had previously refused visas to Russian citizens, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Latvia. Russian tourists, said Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, are a potential threat to the state, reported RT.

These bloc members want a travel ban because of Ukraine's special operation. In discussion with Austrian broadcaster ORF, Borrell indicated that some EU foreign ministers would be apprehensive about backing the measure once they eventually meet this week in Prague. He continued by saying that severing ties with Russia's civilian population would be beneficial but may not have the necessary support.

The Brussels official added that cutting the relationship with the Russian civilian population will help, and I don't think this idea will have the required unanimity, noted Hi India.

Josep Borrell thinks the organization needs to adopt a more discerning strategy than a Russian travel ban. Furthermore, it was said that other Russians, besides oligarchs, could also obtain visas. It needs to be more selective. Rejecting visas for all of them would be a grave error.

All ministers would need to come to a consensus on a total ban. That may be difficult, provided several EU states, including Germany, Hungary, Cyprus, and Portugal, disapprove of the proposition.

This month, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged his Western counterparts to distinguish between Russian individuals and the Russian government, stating that the conflict in Ukraine is not a battle for the Russian people. The 2007 agreement between the EU and Russia to accommodate visa applications would be suspended, mentioned RFERL.

Consequently, applying for EU visas could become more complicated, expensive, and time-consuming. A senior EU official told an outlet that it is inappropriate for Russian tourists to stroll in our cities, on our marinas. We must convey to the people of Russia how this war is unacceptable and improper.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked on the visa ban propositions addressed at the EU level and said that such measures don't smell too good. He expressed hope that rational thinking might well ultimately emerge.

The Bloc Will Lose Money If Total Ban Is Imposed

While Russians will always have other places to travel to, entry restrictions will harm the bloc's economy, citing Almayadeen.

State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin observed that numerous proposals still exist to forbid citizens from entering the EU. 80% of the world's population, he maintains, rejects the sanctions placed on Moscow so that Russian tourists could take a trip to places beyond the EU.

It also suggests building Russia's tourist industry infrastructure to facilitate domestic travel. At the beginning of August, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, joked that the West should forbid Russian tourists from entering until they change their behavior.

Moscow said the leader of Ukraine has nothing positive to say but terrible things, and he is advocating prejudice against Russians. Josep Borrell commented a total Russian travel ban is too harsh as several EU states are for and against it making it a thorny issue.