Czech Republic to propose EU cancels simplified visas for Russians, Belarusians - Bloomberg

This was reported by the Bloomberg agency with reference to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský.

It is clarified that there is no mention of a travel ban for tourists from the Russian Federation and Belarus, despite the corresponding appeals of a number of countries, including Estonia, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Cancellation of the simplified procedure for issuing Schengen visas to citizens of Russia and Belarus will still allow Russians and Belarusians to submit documents for short-term entry. But it will increase the visa processing time, require more documents, as well as increase the costs to EUR 80 from EUR 35.

It is known that the EU foreign ministers in Prague will not publish official conclusions. There are a few weeks before the final decision is made, the article says.

Baltic leaders have already signaled that they may push for a regional ban on Russian visas if the EU does not give a firm response. In particular, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda denies that the Russian people should not bear responsibility for Russia's invasion.