What happened
Finland's Foreign Minister Valtonen has urged the European Commission to impose a complete ban on tourist visas for Russian citizens. This call is in response to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has entered its fifth year. The number of tourist visas issued to Russians by Schengen countries has increased, with nearly 500,000 visas granted in 2025.
Minister Valtonen argues that it is unfair for Russian citizens to enjoy European freedoms while their country continues to wage war against Ukraine. Finland had already banned non-essential travel visas for Russians in 2022, and Valtonen believes the same should be done at the EU level.
A joint letter addressed to the European Commission has been proposed, which includes a ban on Schengen visas for President Vladimir Putin's inner circle, visa restrictions for Russian athletes, and effective implementation of the visa ban on Russian combatants agreed upon by EU Member States.
