Finland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Ukraine are among the promoters of banning Russian tourists from entering. Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have already tightened visa rules dramatically. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the Russians should “live in their own world until they change their philosophy”, writes The Guardian. – Visiting Europe is a privilege STANDING TOGETHER: Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (TV) and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin both want to stop Russian tourists in Europe. Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP – Visiting Europe is a privilege, not a human right, writes Estonia’s Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, on Twitter. The prime minister of the Czech Republic and Finland also supports the call, KyviPost says on Twitter. – It is not right that Russians can live a normal life, travel in Europe and be tourists. There is no right, while Russia is waging an aggressive and brutal war, says Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Fears that more people will travel via Norway Now the countries are asking the EU to decide on the issue. Several fear that nearby land could be used for transit. According to The Guardian, EU foreign ministers are to discuss a travel ban later this month. Editor of the online newspaper Barents Observer, Thomas Nilsen, says that stopping tourist visas to Norway is wise, if more people choose to do so. – If these countries stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, and Norway continues to issue tourist visas, we risk that the border to Finnmark, with the airport in Kirkenes, will become a springboard for Russian tourists on their way to Spain, France, Italy and all other Schengen countries that no longer have flight connections with Russia, says Nilsen to news. AFRAID OF BEING A SPRINGBOARD: Editor of the online newspaper Barents Observer, Thomas Nilsen, believes that people will flock to Norway to get abroad. Photo: Tormod Strand / news Foreign Ministry: – Following the discussions Denying Russian tourists entry to Norway would not be an easy process, says Tuva Bogsnes, head of communications at the Foreign Ministry. – Norway does not have a tradition of introducing its own sanctions. The government also does not have the authority in the Sanctions Act to make a decision about such a walk alone, says Bogsnes to news. She explains that Norway’s view generally depends on which sanctions are adopted by the Security Council, or that it has broad international support. – Norway has given up on the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia, with some national adaptations, says Bogsnes. DEPENDS ON OTHER COUNTRIES: Head of Communications at the Foreign Ministry, Tuva Bogsnes, expresses that Norway’s decision depends on what happens in the EU in the future. Photo: William Jobling / news She says that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs follows what is taken up in the EU. – Norway is working to ensure that like-minded countries stand together as much as possible on reactions to Russia and follow the discussions in the EU, says Bogsnes to news.
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EU under pressure to close borders to Russian tourists – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
