Poland and the Baltic States Plan to Restrict Russian Citizens' Entry

The authorities of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are planning to limit the entry of Russian citizens to their territories. To this end, the issuance of visas to Russians and the crossing of borders with EU visas will be banned at the national level.

"Until measures are taken at the EU level, we, as countries bordering Russia and Belarus, will discuss the introduction of temporary measures at the national level to prohibit the issuance of visas or to restrict border crossings for Russian citizens with EU visas for the purpose of addressing public security issues," said a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Poland and the Baltic states.

The document notes that the suspension of the visa facilitation agreement with Russia is a necessary step, but a sharp reduction in the number of visas issued to Russians is also required. Thus, it is stated in the statement that the flow of Russian citizens to the EU and the Schengen area will be reduced.