The EU countries do not want to recognize Russian passports if they are issued in occupied territories of Ukraine. The representatives of the 27 governments made a corresponding decision on Wednesday. The same should apply to the republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia.
“We will never reconcile the violation of Ukraine and Georgia’s fundamental rights to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said in Brussels on Wednesday. The European Commission had already proposed a similar procedure at the beginning of September. Almost all countries would already act like this, it was said. First of all, the EU countries must now agree on a common position with the European Parliament.
Czech Republic: Entry stop for Russians
The Czech Republic recently imposed an entry ban on Russians with a Schengen visa for tourist stays, sporting or cultural events. The measure will apply from 25 October, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky announced on Wednesday. It does not matter which EU Member State has issued the visa.
With this measure, the liberal-conservative government in Prague is following the example of Poland and the Baltic States, among others. So far, around 200 Russian citizens with a Schengen visa have traveled to the Czech Republic via international airports every day. Shortly after the start of the war against Ukraine, in late February, the government, with few exceptions, suspended the issuance of new visas to Russians.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
