Czech Republic supports idea for EU to suspend visa issue to Russians

That’s according to Radio Prague International, Ukrinform reports.

This topic will be discussed by EU ministers at a meeting in Prague late August.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Czech Republic completely stopped issuing short-term visas to Russians, with the exception of humanitarian ones.

A number of other EU countries also suspended visa issue to Russians.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavsky said the Czech Republic, which presides over the current half-year in the Council of the European Union, is in favor of stopping visa issue to Russians by EU countries.

Pavel Fischer, head of foreign policy, defense and security, spoke in favor of visa restrictions for Russians.

"Requesting a visa and getting the opportunity to travel to the countries of the Schengen Agreement is a privilege for citizens of Russia – a country that engages in military aggression and nuclear terrorism at the Zaporizhia NPP," he said. "It is a shame how much money Russians, whose property may have criminal origins, spend for luxury goods in Berlin and Paris."

According to the official, he also considers it "shameful" that some EU countries still offer large investors from Russia to obtain citizenship or residence rights.

“This has to stop! By the way, the housing in which they invested in the Czech Republic must be thoroughly taxed," Fischer added.

At the same time, he believes that Russians who need help can apply for asylum or international protection in the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposes the introduction of visa sanctions, believing that opponents of the Kremlin regime should be offered the opportunity to leave Russia. The same stance is retained by Greece and Cyprus.