A lot of effort has gone into weaning Europe off Russian energy. The bloc has now issued an unprecedented 20 sanctions packages against Ukraine’s aggressor, with plenty of bust-ups between EU members in the fiery debates along the way.
Much less discussion has been given to the question of the actual presence of Russians on EU territory. On the contrary, visas for Russians visiting Europe have risen substantially: in excess of 620,000 were issued last year, with France, Italy and Spain the preferred destinations – all fine holiday spots, for those with the means and peace of mind to take advantage of them.
The revelations, highlighted in confidential statistics acquired by Euractiv, pose questions about whether governments should continue to provide Russian nationals with access to Europe while the war in Ukraine goes on. The number of visas granted also casts doubt on the rigour of security checks for entry into the Union.
Some countries – France in particular – were…
