According to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, the demand that Russian tourists no longer receive Schengen visas for the EU has hit a sore spot in Moscow. The strong reaction of members of the Russian power elite to requests for an entry ban shows that it is an effective sanctions instrument, Kallas told Estonian radio today.
Despite the reservations of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Estonia wants to continue to campaign for a blanket ban on tourist visas in the EU. The government of Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, decided yesterday that from August 18, Russian citizens will no longer be able to enter the country on a Schengen visa issued by Estonia.
“You have to understand that only 10% of the Russian population travels abroad, and it is precisely these people, mainly from Moscow and St. Petersburg, whose opinion counts. This is also shown by Russia’s very painful reactions to this proposal,” Kallas said, referring to a tweet by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who attacked her for asking for a visa ban. of Achilles. It’s something they are very afraid of, so it’s effective,” said the Estonian leader.