Baltic states to restrict entry to Russian citizens as war continues

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are to restrict entry to Russian civilians over the Russian invasion of Ukraine – as the war shows no sign of coming to an end. 

The measure was agreed upon at a meeting of Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers and is expected to come into force within a few weeks. There are likely to be exceptions for humanitarian or family reasons. 

A recent EU gathering on the same issue saw member states agree to suspend a long-standing visa agreement with Russia, but the bloc stopped short of an outright ban. 

For some delegates at the Nordic and Baltics meeting, the measures did not go far enough. The Danish foreign minister says it was a “provocation” to see Russian tourists on beaches in Europe whilst the war is happening. 

“I think it`s a provocation to see Russian tourists, for example, on the beaches of Europe or in the cafes of European capitals, when they are bombarding Ukrainian cities and killing civilians and committing war crimes,” said Jeppe Kofod.

Since the invasion in February, around one million Russian citizens have entered the EU legally.