Despite the skepticism of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Finland is pushing for entry bans for Russian tourists to the EU. “Russian citizens did not start the war, but at the same time we have to be clear that they support the war,” said Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Monday evening at a summit of the heads of government of the Nordic countries with Scholz in Oslo.
In Oslo, Scholz again spoke out against an entry ban from Russia to the EU, referring, among other things, to Russian citizens fleeing Putin’s regime. “All the decisions we make should not make it more complicated for them to seek freedom and leave the country to escape the dictatorship in Russia,” he said. “It’s not the Russian people’s war, it’s Putin’s war.”
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, on the other hand, expressed understanding for Finland’s concerns. “I find it understandable that some Europeans and perhaps especially some Ukrainians find it a little strange that Russia has attacked a European country and at the same time we are receiving tourists from this country that has attacked another country,” said the social democrat. “I think we should discuss that.”