EU should end validity of Russian citizens' tourist visas

TALLINN - Estonian MEP Urmas Paet said that the Council of the European Union should end the validity of tourist visas issued to citizens of Russia and stop issuing new visas to them.

"Russian tourists traveling to EU and Schengen states is not appropriate at present time," Paet said. "The Council of the European Union can make a decision to end the validity of the tourist visas issued thus far and to not issue any new ones. The Russian regime, which is waging a war in its neighboring country, can only exist with support by the residents of its state. Maintaining a criminal regime has a price."

"Several months ago restrictions were established on Russia's air links with Europe. One of the points of this was for the citizens of Russia, which is waging a war, should not travel to Europe. The same should apply to other means of transport," Paet said.

The Estonian MEP said that this doesn't mean that Russian nationals are to stop traveling altogether.

"Uganda and Ethiopia have just affirmed their great friendship with Russia. These are nice places for a beach and shopping holiday," he said, adding that entry to EU and Schengen states for the purpose of holiday and shopping trips should be banned for citizens of Russia as the aggressor state.