The debate has just flared up: Is it possible for Russian citizens as tourists to vacation in Spain or France, at a time when the Russian army in Ukraine is killing thousands of women and children?

No way they think more and more for themselves in the EU.

Indeed, Schengen countries should deny tourist visas to Russians until further notice.

At least as long as Moscow keeps parts of Ukraine occupied.

Because so far millions of Russians support the war, or pretend they have nothing to do with this armed invasion.

It should be made clear to them that they are not welcome in Europe.

For many Muscovites, it is probably normal to enjoy life in cafes and restaurants at a time when their compatriots are staining their hands with blood, but in the civilized world this is not normal.

Of course: Denying tourist visas to Russians in general is at least partly unfair.

Because it also affects the innocent, people who do not support the war in Ukraine, but do not have the courage to protest against it.

But such "collateral damage" is difficult to prevent.

Even the argument that is used, that in such a case the Russians will seek more support from the Kremlin.

Let them search for it.

But there should be no holidays on the Cote'd Azur or shopping on the Champs Elysee boulevard at the moment.

What remains is the bad taste of being "sitting on the accused's bench".

But this is precisely what must be achieved as an effect.

Because the Russians in such a time of war should no longer be treated as a normal people, as the Germans were treated in the 1930s to 1945 and in the years that followed.

On the other hand, security aspects also speak for the end of tourist visas.

With such a visa, the Russian Vadim Kraskov traveled to Berlin to kill an asylum seeker from Georgia without batting an eye, probably on behalf of the FSB secret service.

This makes Russia, as defined by German politicians on foreign affairs, a "state of terror".

Europe must be protected from such a state.

And yet certain persons from Russia should have the opportunity to come to European soil again.

Germany and Europe have a demographic problem and many businesses have been looking for skilled labor for years.

In the past years, millions of Russians, well-qualified young people have left the country.

This should be supported.

Even Russian students or researchers who want to continue freelancing in the West can come.

Russian opposition as well.

Within a certain framework, visits for family reasons should also be possible.

It is important that the governments of the EU countries apply the same rules, as well as when the day comes to lift the sanctions, if a permanent peace is achieved.

For months, the majority of Germans have supported the supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine.

A minority is against it, at least with reference to German history.

These are the ones who would welcome the denial of tourist visas for Russians.

Such a form of sanction quickly shows an effect, and does not cost human lives.

The ban on tourist visas cannot be ignored even by the media that speak the same in Russia.

At first they will make fun of it, then they will list to the Russians the favors you have when you are in your homeland.

Like then in the Soviet Union.

And, they will say in the end, that the cafes and restaurants of Moscow will shine more precisely because of this... /DW/