Finland and Sweden Call for Stricter EU Visa Policy Against Russian Citizens

Finland and Sweden's foreign ministers have jointly urged the European Commission and EU member states to tighten visa policies for Russian citizens, emphasizing the need to prevent war participants from entering the Schengen zone while Russia continues its military operations in Ukraine. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stated that the EU cannot allow Russian citizens to enjoy European freedoms and leisure while their government attacks Ukrainian families, citing a recent attack on a UNESCO World Heritage monastery in Kyiv as an example of ongoing atrocities.

The Nordic countries have called for the development of a program to more effectively identify participants in the war against Ukraine and prevent their entry to the Schengen area. They have also urged the European Commission to embed binding measures in the Visa Code during its planned review in early 2027, including expanding the ban on multiple-entry visas to all Russian citizens regardless of residence and creating mechanisms to identify combatants.

The EU has already taken significant action since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The bloc terminated a visa facilitation agreement, increased border controls, and in November 2025 prohibited multiple-entry visas for Russian citizens. According to European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert, annual visa issuance has plummeted from 4 million in 2022 to approximately 500,000 currently. On June 4, eleven Schengen area countries—including Baltic states, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Czechia, Iceland, and Norway—sent a joint letter to the Commission demanding stricter entry rules for Russian tourists.

Despite these measures, divisions persist within the EU. Northern and Baltic European nations advocate for further restrictions, while Southern European countries continue issuing visas. Some European officials worry that a complete ban could backfire by cutting Russians off from exposure to non-Russian media and perspectives. Data from Russia's Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) shows that multiple-entry visas approved in the first quarter of 2026 dropped by at least 90% compared to the same period last year, while overall Schengen visa demand among Russians increased 20–25% annually.