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Are Russian soldiers sneaking into the EU on tourist visas? | DW News
Summary
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Concerns are rising within the European Union that Russian nationals, including intelligence and military personnel, may be exploiting tourism visas to enter and operate within the Schengen area. While some member states have tightened restrictions, others, including France, have continued to issue significant numbers of visas, prompting calls for a stricter, unified approach.
As the war in Ukraine continues, a group of EU member states, primarily along the eastern flank, is advocating for stricter pan-European restrictions on visas granted to Russian citizens. They express grave security concerns regarding the potential for Russian intelligence operatives and former combatants to enter the EU on tourist visas and travel freely through the Schengen zone. Data indicates that despite security concerns, major Western European countries like France, Italy, and Spain continue to issue a large portion of all Russian visas, even showing an increase in 2025. While EU member states claim they are complying with security protocols and conducting thorough case-by-case vetting, eastern member states argue this is insufficient given the rise in sabotage incidents attributed to Russian actors. Discussions are underway regarding the potential implementation of a 'Schengen blacklist' to proactively block individuals known to have participated in the war in Ukraine from entering the bloc.
Claims & arguments
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LockedWorth watching if: You are interested in the intersection of national security, European Union border policy, and the ongoing diplomatic repercussions of the war in Ukraine regarding Russian travel access.
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