Latvia Urges EU Member States to Halt Schengen Visas for Russian Citizens

Latvia’s Minister of Interior, Rihards Kozlovskis, has urged all European Union member states to cease issuing Schengen visas to Russian citizens.

His appeal was made during the meeting of the EU Council of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs, following the release of the European Commission’s Schengen Barometer for 2024.

The Schengen Barometer data revealed a significant rise in the number of Schengen tourist visas granted to Russians in 2024 compared to the previous year. A total of 565,069 Schengen visas were issued to Russian citizens, marking a 25 percent increase from 2023.

The data further indicated that these visas accounted for 5.7 percent of all Schengen visas issued, with 90 percent granted for tourism purposes.

Expressing concern over the growing numbers, Kozlovskis called on EU countries to recognize the security risks posed by Russian tourists and to take decisive action by halting visa issuance. “In the current circumstances, we cannot continue business as usual, we must admit that we are in a hybrid war. Therefore, I call on all member states to seriously recognise the threat. Denying such a service is our moral duty,” he stated.

Latvia has maintained a strict stance on this issue and is among six EU nations that have already suspended the issuance of Schengen visas for Russian nationals traveling for non-essential reasons. The country first enforced this measure in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and recently extended the restriction until the end of 2026.

Kozlovskis justified Latvia’s position by citing cases of irregular border crossings and acts of sabotage involving Russian nationals, emphasizing the need for tighter restrictions. He also recalled the European Commission’s 2022 guidelines, which outlined visa and entry restrictions for Russians in response to security concerns.

Following Kozlovskis' call for an EU-wide visa ban for Russian citizens, Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and urged EU states to maintain a united stance on the issue.

The Latvian Ministry of Interior has indicated that the topic of visa restrictions for Russian citizens could be revisited during the next EU ministers of interior meeting. The European Union continues to highlight security threats posed by Russia and recognizes the broader implications of global security on the integrity of the Schengen Area. 

By fLEXI tEAM