From: 08/15/2022 21:47
“It’s not the Russian people’s war, it’s Putin’s war” – this is the argument of Chancellor Scholz, who rejects the entry ban for all Russians. Several heads of government in northern Europe are demanding this.
Despite the skepticism of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Finland is pushing for an EU entry ban for Russian tourists. “Russian citizens did not start the war, but at the same time we have to make it clear that they support the war,” Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin told a summit of the five Nordic countries with Scholz in Oslo. In addition to Marin and Scholz, the heads of government of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden also attended the meeting.
“I don’t think it’s right that Russian citizens can enter the EU, the Schengen area and tour as tourists while Russia is killing people in Ukraine,” Marin said. She received support from her Danish colleague Mette Frederiksen.
Scholz continues against entry ban
Scholz, on the other hand, maintained his rejection of a blanket entry ban and referred, among other things, to Russian citizens who are fleeing the Putin regime. “All the decisions we make must not make it more complicated for them to seek freedom and leave the country to escape dictatorship in Russia,” he said. “It’s not the Russian people’s war, it’s Putin’s war.”
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has called for joint EU action on this issue, but Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store has not either.
Until now, people from Russia’s political and economic leadership have been banned from entering the EU. This does not apply to tourists. The EU states of Finland, Estonia and Lithuania have called for a visa ban because, as countries bordering Russia, they receive many visitors from the country. This has led to significant debates in these countries, also because visitors from EU countries stock up on goods that are subject to EU sanctions. Many also travel to holiday destinations in the Schengen area. Poland now also supports a visa ban.
“Norway delivers as much as we can deliver”
For Scholz, the trip to Oslo was also his first visit to Norway. The two heads of government agreed on even closer cooperation in the energy sector. Scholz recognized the importance of Norwegian gas supplies in moving away from dependence on Russian natural gas. “I am very happy that in Norway we have a safe, democratic and reliable partner in the supply of energy to Germany and Europe,” he said.
They now want to work even more together in the field of renewable energy. Norway has been Germany’s most important gas supplier since Russian gas supplies were drastically reduced in mid-June. Store granted Germany more support. “Norway strives to be a stable supplier of gas to Germany,” he said, adding that he currently does not see opportunities to expand gas supplies to Germany and Europe. “Norway delivers as much as we can.”
EU discusses travel restrictions for Russians
Jakob Mayr, BR Brussels, 15.8.2022 21:56