Finland wants to massively restrict visas to Russians. In the future, only ten percent of the previous number of such entry permits should be issued, says Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. Specifically, from September fewer appointments would be made available for an application, which would lead to fewer visas for people from the neighboring country.
Finnish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Monday that a visa ban had to be discussed, as is also being demanded by Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz continues to be skeptical about a general entry ban for Russians to Europe. It is right that this is being discussed in the EU, said Scholz during a visit to Norway. But you shouldn’t make it even more difficult for opposition Russians who want to go to Europe and many of whom are already in EU countries to flee.