German official urges border checks with Hungary over visa programme

Brandenburg Minister of the Interior Michael Stübgen has called for the introduction of border controls with Hungary at all European Union (EU) borders due to Budapest's decision to include Russians and Belarusians in a program for simplified long-term visa acquisition.

"European treaties allow for border control in exceptional situations. Just as we do with Poland and the Czech Republic, the same should be done by countries like Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, and Romania. It is unacceptable for an EU state to allow Russians to enter the country virtually unchecked," Stübgen told German media, per Caliber.Az.

The publication noted that Stübgen is the first politician in Germany to call for border controls with Hungary.

Additionally, the head of the European People's Party, Manfred Weber, urged the European Council President Charles Michel to take strict measures against Hungary.

"Anyone who allows Russians into the EU without checks puts Europe's security at serious risk," Weber told Bild am Sonntag. "Heads of government must clarify this issue at the next summit. There must be consequences," he emphasized.

According to Bild am Sonntag, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is also not ruling anything out.