In order for the ban on visas for Russians to be effective, EU countries should not only stop issuing Schengen visas to citizens of the Russian Federation, but also cancel previously issued long-term multiple-entry visas "at least until the end of the war in Ukraine."

This opinion was expressed by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielus Landsbergis, to Politico.

"We must immediately say a clear 'no' to tourists from Russia and Belarus," he said.

In his opinion, EU countries should accept only those "who need asylum, not rest", democratic activists and those persecuted by the authoritarian regimes of Moscow and Minsk.

Landsbergis emphasized that Lithuania has already decided to issue visas to the citizens of these two countries only for humanitarian reasons or for other reasons that are considered as international obligations, but the problem is that Russian tourists, who were refused visas by the Baltic authorities, can still apply for a visa to any other EU member country.

"And after successfully obtaining a visa, many of them still go to the countries closest to the Russian and Belarusian borders, that is, to the Baltic countries, and not to those that gave them a visa," noted the head of the Latvian MFA.

According to Landsbergis, in this way EU member states, which continue to issue tourist visas to Russians, "not only ignore all the atrocities committed against Ukrainians, but also actually 'invite' Russian tourists to the Baltic States", while Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania " they don't want to welcome Russian guests, most of whom are supporters of Putin's war."

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania assured that they will continue to issue visas to Belarusians who are in danger at home.

On August 9, the President of Ukraine, Uladzimir Zelensky, called to ban all Russians from entering Western countries.

Later, he clarified that visas should not be issued to those who go from Russia to Europe for the purpose of tourism or on business trips, those who are persecuted in Russia should receive help "through refugee status, through requests for asylum, other opportunities."

Estonian Prime Minister Kaya Kalas supported Zelensky's proposal to ban all Russians from entering Western countries.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on the other hand, said that he is against a general ban on the entry of Russians into the European Union.

The Czech Republic, which presides over the EU, has announced that the next sanctions against Russia may include a general ban on issuing visas to Russian citizens.