The EU’s top diplomat commented on an idea promoted by some Eastern European nations
Josep Borrell, the EU’s senior-most diplomat, has said he didn’t support banning all Russian citizens from visiting the bloc, an idea that some member states have supported.
Speaking during a political forum in Spain on Monday, he called the proposal “controversial” and said the EU should be more targeted in its sanctions against Russia.
The Ukrainian leadership has been vocally advocating punishing Russia by ceasing the issuance of 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 to the policies of their government. Those who fear returning to their home country could apply for asylum, he said.
Some nations, such as Finland and Estonia, have moved to restrict the issuance of visas to Russians, although other member states, notably Germany and Cyprus, have opposed this idea. The bloc said it was mulling what stance to take on visas for Russians.
Moscow has said such restrictions were evidence that anti-Russian xenophobia was guiding the polices of some EU nations.
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https://ift.tt/jZEUQlA 22, 2022 at 03:57PM
from RT – Daily news