Finland’s foreign minister today unveiled a plan to limit the number of travel visas issued and granted to Russians, an increasing number of whom are traveling to this Scandinavian country to transit to other European countries.
Flights from Russia to the EU were suspended after the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine on 24 February. Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, has therefore become an important transit country for Russian travelers.
“Many saw this as a circumvention of the sanctions regime,” Foreign Minister Peka Haavisto told AFP.
Finland is seeking to join NATO, and political and popular support for joining the Alliance has soared since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, the Scandinavian country remains to this day the only EU member and neighbor of Russia without restrictions on tourist visas for Russian citizens.
Schengen and Finnish law do not allow for a complete ban on nationality-based visas, but Helsinki can reduce the number of visas issued by category, including tourist visas, Haavisto noted.
Therefore, the ministry today presented a proposal to the government that would allow Finland to “preference” groups such as family members and students, while reducing tourist visas.
If the government gives the green light, a decision could be made by the end of the month.
Source: RES-MPE
Source: Capital
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