Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with The Washington Post declarationWestern countries should ban all Russians from entering their territory. According to him, this is the most effective response to the “selection of foreign territory”, when he calls the previously imposed sanctions “weak”. He also noted that a full-year embargo on the purchase of Russian energy resources will be effective in confronting the Russian Federation.
“The most important sanctions are the closing of borders – because the Russians are taking away foreign lands” ,
Zelensky added that the Russians should live in their own world until they change their philosophy.
The President of Ukraine believes it is possible to “take account of its entire population” by isolating Russia. According to him, it does not matter whether the citizens of the Russian Federation support the conduct of a special operation in Ukraine, “Whatever the Russians … go to Russia. The entire population can’t be held responsible, right? ? It can. The people have chosen this government and they are not fighting it, arguing with it, yelling at it.”
“You’re telling the whole world to live by your rules. Then go and live there. that’s the only way to impress. [президента России Владимира] “Putin,” he said.
Zelensky also thinks that the ban on Russian planes over several countries is ineffective because, in his opinion, Russians can apply for visas to visit the United States and many other countries and travel almost unhindered.
Hitler’s handbook
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, commented on Zelensky’s statement on the Telegram channel, reminding that the principle of collective responsibility is important. applied practically, the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler.
“The original Ukrainian clown proposed to “take account of the entire population of Russia”. The last time Adolf Hitler tried to apply such ideas in relation to an entire nation. Do you have any further questions about the nature of Ukrainian power?”
Medvedev wrote.
The West does not allow citizens of the Russian Federation
On August 8, it became known that the Finnish authorities are considering restrictions on transit tourism for Russians with Schengen visas to other European countries via Finland. They believe that citizens of the Russian Federation often abuse the possibility of Schengen transit after the cancellation of direct flights between Russia and the EU.
Jussi Tanner, head of the Finnish consular service, said that a Russian citizen’s application for a new Finnish visa can be rejected if the previous visa was used only for transit. He added that the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will tighten up the visa issuance procedure after negotiations with the government. It’s unclear exactly when that will happen, but “the number of visas issued may decrease in the near future.”
Prime Minister Sanna Marin also called for limiting the issuance of Finnish visas to Russians. He noted that Helsinki does not have the means to restrict the travel of Russians to EU countries.
On August 5, the Latvian diplomatic mission in Russia announced that it will stop issuing visas to Russian citizens indefinitely. The only exception is the funeral of a close relative.
On August 4, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu proposed to “further isolate” Russia and stop issuing Schengen visas to Russians, measures could be taken as part of the next round of EU anti-Russian sanctions.
On July 29, Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller supported the decisions of European countries on tourism policy towards Russians, in particular the possible termination of the issuance of Schengen visas.
On July 28, Yle reported, citing Jussi Tanner, that Finland is considering several options for a possible restriction of the flow of tourists from Russia due to a special operation in Ukraine: cancel previously issued visas (does not comply with EU and Filand standards. ), stop issuing visas to Russian citizens (against EU law), limit the number of visas issued or get the right to independently declare tourism policies from the European Union.
On the same day, the Estonian government approved restrictions under which citizens of the Russian Federation can no longer apply for a temporary residence permit or visa for educational purposes in the country. The new decision clarifies the sanctions that were previously adopted. In addition, short-term employment will no longer be registered for Russians and Belarusians holding a legal residence permit issued by another EU member. It will no longer be possible to apply for a long-term visa for short-term employment.
From February 26, the European Union suspended the simplified visa regime with Russia, which meant a simplified procedure for processing documents for officials and entrepreneurs.