Sanctions will not affect tourist visas for Russians — European Commission

EU legislation does not allow to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians despite all the sanctions against the country. This statement was made by representatives of the European Commission.

The statement was made in response to a direct question from the Finnish newspaper HS. According to the European Commission, the sanctions will only apply to the Kremlin and the elites close to it. The commission has already taken steps to make it difficult for government officials and major businessmen to enter the region.

The European Commission declined to answer whether or not the abolition of tourist visas was ever discussed as a part of the sanctions. Its representatives referred to the confidentiality of such discussions.

Despite this, it will most likely become harder for all Russians to get a Schengen visa in the future. Applications are considered not by the European Commission itself, but personally by the EU member states. Some of them, such as the Baltic countries, have almost completely stopped issuing Schengen visas for Russians. Others, such as Finland, are ready to join them. Even though officially no sanctions require this.