Against this background, the fact that there are no entry restrictions for the citizens of the aggressor state, that they can continue to vacation with us, shop or circumvent sanctions, is morally unacceptable
Because of the Ukraine war, the EU is arguing about a possible entry ban for Russian vacationers. While Estonia and Finland have submitted, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the Austrian government warn against holding Russians collectively liable. The EU foreign ministers will discuss the issue in Prague on Tuesday.
However, as the “Financial Times” reports, the foreign ministers have already agreed to suspend the agreement with Moscow on visa facilitation. The aim is therefore to issue fewer travel permits for Russian tourists overall.
“It is inappropriate for Russian tourists to walk around our cities and marinas,” a senior EU official involved in the talks told the newspaper. “We have to signal to the Russian people that this war is not okay, it is unacceptable.”
Parts of the 2007 agreement, which concern the free movement of government officials and business people, were already suspended when Russia invaded Ukraine. A complete halt would remove the facilitation for Russians to apply for all EU visas. As a result, several expensive documents would then be required. The waiting times would also be significantly longer.
The Estonian radio station ERR, citing the EU border protection agency Frontex, reports that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, almost a million Russian citizens have entered the EU legally. Around 60 percent of them were made via the neighboring EU countries Estonia and Finland. (TSP/dpa)
It’s a double-edged sword. I am of the opinion that it is a civic obligation to position oneself. But it’s also a damn luxury to be able to do that without risking either going to jail yourself or putting your family in danger. Artists have no obligation to express themselves.
According to the Ukrainian military intelligence service, Russia plans to increase its troop strength in Ukraine to 250,000. 90,000 new soldiers are to be recruited for the war in Ukraine, a spokesman said, according to the news platform “Liga” on state television. There are currently 160,000 Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. In order to reach the targeted number, reserve battalions and so-called volunteer units would be formed.
Only on Wednesday did Russian President Vladimir Putin order an increase in the size of the army. In 2023, the number of soldiers is expected to increase by 137,000 to around 1.15 million.
It is unclear how Russia intends to do this. Western secret services unanimously report massive problems in the Russian military apparatus recruiting new soldiers. The Russian army has even resorted to prisoners.
