Taro: Allowing Russian tourists into Europe is immoral

TALLINN - At a meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Dublin, Ireland, Minister of the Interior Igor Taro emphasized the need for joint decisions that would enable stricter visa restrictions for Russian citizens.

"This is not only a matter of security but also of values," Taro said.

The main topics of the meeting were combating international organized crime, the more strategic use of EU visa policy to strengthen internal security and migration cooperation, and EU data exchange with third countries.

In his address to his colleagues, Igor Taro noted that from Estonia's perspective, it is particularly important that restrictive measures are uniform across the European Union and the Schengen visa area, and binding for all.

"I agree with European Commissioner Magnus Brunner's statement that the increase in issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens is completely unacceptable at this time. While ordinary Ukrainians are dying in rocket attacks, citizens of the aggressor state cannot be allowed to enjoy holidays and shopping in Europe as if nothing has happened. The Kremlin's goal is to show its own citizens that the war does not significantly affect their lives," Taro said.

According to the Estonian Minister of the Interior, it must be possible to apply visa restrictions flexibly in line with EU interests, including the ability to apply restrictions to specific target groups, such as diplomats, service passport holders, former and current combatants, and church leaders supporting the aggression, as well as based on the purpose of travel.

"The latest Schengen Barometer results clearly confirm that the existing non-binding guidelines for issuing visas to Russian citizens have not been sufficient - non-binding measures mean non-binding results," Taro stated.

Estonia has repeatedly pointed out in various security forums that Russian combatants involved in the war of aggression against Ukraine already pose a long-term threat to all of Europe due to their skills, experience, mindset, and violent tendencies.

This threat will only grow once active hostilities cease, as these combatants, many of whom are still in Ukraine, will begin to seek new sources of income. Past experience indicates that they often become involved in organized crime or other violent activities, also serving as a recruitment pool for special services and extremist groups.

Estonia's initiative to add Russian combatants to the Schengen blacklist has been joined by countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, and has also received support from Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Germany, among others.

These individuals pose a growing threat to all of Europe, and to mitigate this threat, measures must be implemented urgently. It is crucial that the issuance of visas and residence permits is restricted for people considered a security threat.