Finland to propose that the EU stop issuing tourist visas to Russians

What Orpo proposes

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has called for European countries to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians. In an interview with the Finnish broadcaster Yle, he said the aim is to strengthen European security and counter the threat from Russia.

“One of the concrete measures I will present at the European Council meeting next week is that Europe should stop issuing tourist visas to Russians,” Orpo said, as quoted by Yevropeiska Pravda and Ukrinform.

He explained his position by the threat of sabotage: “We fear that Russia is trying to carry out sabotage on European territory. Why, in the name of everything holy, do we let them into European territory as tourists, where they can move around freely?”

Finland’s experience

Finland itself stopped issuing tourist visas and closed entry to Russian tourists back in September 2022. Its land border crossings with Russia have been closed since December 2023. Helsinki now wants a similar approach across the whole Schengen area.

Orpo also commented on the US–Russia agreement on diesel supplies, calling it a “terrible disappointment”, and urged Europe to impose additional sanctions. In September Finland approved its 34th military aid package for Ukraine, worth about €290 million.

What the EU is already discussing

Visas for Russians are not a new topic in the EU. In September EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said member states could tighten control over the movement of Russian diplomats within Schengen and ban visas for former Russian combatants. The EU’s 21st sanctions package already introduced a mechanism to ban visas for Russian soldiers who fought in Ukraine, but the ban itself has not yet taken effect, Ukrainska Pravda notes.

Estonia: pressure from Belarus

Estonia is also talking about threats on the eastern border. Its Police and Border Guard Board, according to the broadcaster ERR, expects migrants gathered near the Belarusian border to try to enter the EU in the coming weeks before severe frosts set in. Since late July Estonian police have detained more than 300 people, and the temporary detention centre is “almost full to the limit”, deputy director general Veiko Kommusaar said. About 50 criminal cases over migrant smuggling are under investigation.

Why it matters

Orpo’s proposal will be heard amid disputes over Washington’s diesel deal with Moscow. A joint decision on visas requires member states’ agreement, so the summit will show whether other capitals are ready to back the tough line of the Nordic and Baltic countries.