Another clash between Russia and European countries: This time… Visa ban on Russians

Nordic countries and Germany diverged in Oslo Monday on restricting tourist visas to Russians, in response to the invasion of Ukraine, a measure called for by Helsinki but which raised Berlin’s reticence.

“The Russian people didn’t start the war, but at the same time we have to realize that they support the war,” Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said after a meeting of the heads of government of Nordic countries and Germany.

“It is unfair that Russian citizens can enter Europe and the Schengen area as tourists… While Russia is killing people in Ukraine,” she said at a joint press conference.

Since the ban on flights from Russia to the European Union, Russian tourists are coming in increasing numbers to the Scandinavian country, which shares a long border with Russia, to cross to other European countries.

For his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed reservations about this measure.

“It was an important decision on our part to impose sanctions on those responsible for the war and against many wealthy people loyal to (the Russian government) and those who benefit financially and economically from the regime of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” he said.

“We’ll continue to do this, but I think it’s not the Russian people’s war, it’s Putin’s war,” he added, adding that restricting tourist visas would also punish “everyone who flees from Russia because they disagree with the Russian regime”.

For its part, Sweden indicated, through Prime Minister Magdalena Andersen, that it hasn’t yet decided its decision on this issue, while Denmark called for preserving European unity against Moscow.

“One of our successes in this war is our unity, and I think we should have that discussion,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.