EU Member States Fail to Reach Agreement on Schengen Visas for Russians

European Union member states have been unable to reach a consensus on reviewing Schengen visas and residence permits previously issued to Russian citizens, according to diplomatic sources. Discussions on this matter have been ongoing in Brussels since March-April, but negotiations have not yet produced agreement. The proposed measures would potentially target Russian citizens based on their stated positions regarding Russia's military operations in Ukraine, with security concerns cited as the official justification. EU officials have been considering such restrictions alongside measures affecting Russian diplomats. In late February, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the bloc's intention to close the Schengen zone to Russians who participated in combat operations in Ukraine. Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský suggested that restrictions could extend to their relatives, arguing that conflict participants should not enjoy the privileges of free entry to the European Union as tourists. The lack of consensus among EU member states highlights divisions within the bloc regarding how to respond to Russian citizens and their involvement in or support for the Ukraine conflict.