DW tells about this progress of the discussion and its preliminary results.

With his call to ban Russian citizens from entering the European Union, the President of Ukraine,

, caused a heated debate in Europe.

Is it acceptable that citizens of a country waging war against its neighbor can continue to visit the territory of the European Union as if nothing had happened?

No, states such as Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states think so.

They suspended the issuance of short-term visas to Russians.

Germany, Greece, Cyprus and the European Commission are skeptical of such a measure, opposing a strict ban on entry into the European Union for citizens of the Russian Federation.

Federal Chancellor of Germany

said last week that Russian President

Therefore, the chancellor does not share the idea of ​​a total ban on entry into the European Union for Russians, which would affect even those persons who are not guilty of anything.

What is the mood in the European Union regarding visas for Russians

The Czech Republic, which currently holds the EU presidency, has put the issue of Schengen visas for Russians on the agenda of the informal meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the EU member states, which will begin on Tuesday, August 30, in Prague.

As expected, at least the agreement with the Russian Federation on the simplified procedure for issuing visas, which has been in effect since 2007, will be suspended.

This was confirmed by European diplomats to the "Financial Times" newspaper.

Suspension of this agreement will make it more difficult and more expensive for Russians to get a short-term Schengen visa.

But the adoption of the resolution, which provides for a total ban on entry into the European Union for citizens of the Russian Federation, which must be approved by all European Union countries, according to diplomats, is not foreseen.

Attempts by individual states to ban Russians from entering the European Union will be ineffective, because the short-term visa for tourists is valid in all 26 countries of the Schengen zone, regardless of which of them it was issued.

What restrictions for Russians already exist

According to the European Commission, the complete ban on issuing visas to Russians is problematic, because according to international law, entry should be possible for family and humanitarian reasons.

But the issuance of short-term Schengen visas can be severely limited.

Each country is guided by certain criteria when issuing visas, which means that it has a certain room for maneuver.

In addition, there is a possibility to cancel the issued visa.

Estonia is currently using this practice in relation to Russians.

Schengen visas must be recognized in each state that is part of this association.

Therefore, Estonia cannot simply not recognize a visa issued by Germany or Sweden.

This is impossible, taking into account the lack of border control within the Schengen zone.

But, according to intra-European rules, a tourist who has a Schengen visa should preferably stay in the country that issued him the visa.

Its cancellation may be justified by political reasons or security situations.

In addition to the Baltic countries, as well as Finland, Poland and the Czech Republic, Denmark wants to limit the issuance of visas to Russians.

According to the Fragomen visa service, the number of visas issued by the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Romania has decreased.

Many countries have reduced the number of their diplomatic staff in consulates and embassies in the Russian Federation, which complicates the process of obtaining a visa.

The EU agreement with the Russian Federation on the simplified procedure for issuing visas to Russian diplomats, officials and businessmen is actually no longer valid, although it is still in force.

If it is canceled, it will be more difficult and more expensive for Russian citizens to get a visa.

Since Russians can no longer use Western credit cards and bank accounts, a lack of funds can be cited as a reason for visa refusal.

What can the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do

EU member states can issue long-term national visas for permanent entry and stay on their territory.

These visas are intended for those who work and study in the EU, they cannot be used to travel to other EU countries.

Such visas can also be obtained by Russian oppositionists who leave Russia due to the war.

In an open letter to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

the members of the European Parliament demand to limit the issuance of visas to Russians and impose a complete ban on the entry of 6,000 high-ranking citizens of the Russian Federation.

Burel considers the total ban on issuing visas to Russians to the European Union "not the best proposal".

The head of European diplomacy warned against severing contacts with the Russian population - according to him, the consequences of such a comprehensive step would not be positive.

"In any case, I am not a supporter of not issuing visas at all," Burel clarified.

He also expressed doubts that the EU countries will show unanimity on this issue.

In turn, the head of the Christian Democrats faction in the European Parliament ,

, considers the situation absurd when Russians are resting at the German resort in Zyulka, where they are served in restaurants by Ukrainians.

"It is difficult for me to imagine that we accept refugees from Ukraine and at the same time Russians who enjoy life here," Weber noted.

What other states are doing

The USA stopped issuing short-term visas to Russians in the Russian Federation itself.

An application for a visa can be accepted at the American embassy in Poland, if the Russians manage to get there.

US President

called on Russian scientists, businessmen and activists to leave the Russian Federation, which is waging war.

This should be accompanied by the issuance of long-term visas.

Great Britain does not want to introduce a total ban on entry for Russians, but will significantly reduce the issuance of visas.