The EU’s top diplomat commented on an idea promoted by some Eastern European nations
Josep Borrell, the EU’s most senior diplomat, has said he did not support banning all Russian citizens from visiting the bloc, an idea that some member states have supported.
He made the suggestion during Monday’s Spanish political forum. “controversial” He said that sanctions should be targeted more strongly by the EU against Russia.
“Forbidding entrance to all Russians would not be a good idea. It is necessary to select more people. Of course, we must not open the doors to the oligarchs,”The official pointed out that Russian-born individuals are free to purchase real estate within the EU,
“But there are also many Russians who want to flee their country, because they don’t want to live there,”Borrell also added. “Are we going to close the door to those Russians?”
According to the Ukrainian leadership, it is advocating for Russia’s punishment by halting the issuance most visas to Russian citizens. Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky has gone further, suggesting that Russian nationals should be expelled from the EU regardless of their attitude toward the policies of their government. According to him, those in danger of being returned to their country can apply for asylum.
LEARN MORE EU votes in favour of visa restrictions for Russians
Some countries have tried to limit the visa issuance to Russians. However, some other member states (e.g. Germany or Cyprus) have opposed the idea. According to the bloc, it is evaluating which stance should be taken on Russian visas.
Moscow claimed that such restrictions are evidence of anti-Russian antixenophobia guiding some EU countries’ polices.
Borrell addressed an audience called “Quo Vadis Europa?” Santander, Spain: The birth of geopolitical Europe. Spanish television broadcast the annual event.
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