Latvia Renews Appeal to EU States to Halt Visas for Russian Nationals
Latvia Renews Call for EU Member States to Halt Schengen Visas for Russian Nationals Amid Security Concerns
Latvia has once again urged Schengen member states to stop issuing visas to Russian passport holders, citing serious concerns over internal EU security and growing geopolitical threats.
In a recent post, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže reiterated Latvia’s stance, suggesting that issuing visas to Russian citizens poses a potential security risk to the bloc. Her statement followed a report noting that Schengen states granted 25% more visas to Russian nationals in 2024 than in the previous year—an increase that Braže indirectly signaled as alarming.
?? Interior Minister: EU in a Hybrid War, Must Act Accordingly
Latvia’s Minister of Interior, Rihards Kozlovskis, echoed Braže’s concerns during the presentation of the Schengen Barometer 2024. He stated that the presence of Russian tourists could jeopardize the EU’s internal security, especially considering the current geopolitical climate.
“We must admit that we are in a hybrid war. In Latvia, this affects the daily work of our security institutions both on the border and inside the country. Denying visa services to Russians is not just a policy—it’s a moral obligation,” said Kozlovskis.
He urged all EU states to seriously recognize the threat and align their visa policies accordingly.
? Russian Visa Approvals Surge in 2024
Despite sanctions and travel restrictions, Russian citizens filed 606,596 Schengen visa applications in 2024. According to SchengenVisaInfo, 541,839 visas were approved, resulting in an average approval rate of 89.32%.
✈️ Top 5 Countries Granting the Most Schengen Visas to Russians in 2024:
- Italy – 152,254 visas
- France – 123,890 visas
- Spain – 111,187 visas
- Greece – 59,703 visas
- Hungary – 23,382 visas
? Countries Issuing the Fewest Visas to Russians:
- Norway – 49 visas
- Romania – 73 visas
- Czechia – 148 visas
These numbers reflect a divide in how Schengen countries approach visa issuance to Russian nationals, with some taking a stricter stance than others.
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