Germany and Scandinavian countries could not agree on a visa ban for Russians

There is a disagreement between Germany and the Scandinavian countries over the ban on issuing tourist visas to all Russians in the European Union countries due to Russia's war against Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with the prime ministers of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland in Oslo, the capital of Norway, TRT Haber reports.

Finnish Prime Minister Senna Marin, in her statement at the press conference, stated that Russian citizens did not start the war, but supported the war and said, "I do not find it right for Russian citizens to enter the EU, Schengen Area as tourists while Russia is killing people in Ukraine." said.

Marin requested that this issue be addressed in the Council of Europe.

"We need to discuss this"

Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen, on the other hand, supported his Finnish counterpart and stated that he understood that some Europeans, especially Ukrainians, find it strange that Russia attacks a European country and at the same time that tourists from this country are accepted in Europe, "We need to discuss this."

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said that the EU should adopt a common stance on this issue and that the Swedish government has not yet taken a position on this issue.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store noted that consultations on this issue are important and that his country will support joint measures to be taken.

"This is not the Russian people's war, it's Putin's war"

German Chancellor Scholz, on the other hand, reiterated his opposition to the ban on issuing tourist visas to Russians, pointing out that there are also Russian citizens fleeing the regime.

Stating that the decisions to be taken should not further complicate these people's leaving the country to escape the dictatorship in Russia, Scholz said, "This is not the Russian people's war, but Putin's war." used the phrase.

German Chancellor Scholz, in his statement on August 11, reminded that the EU has implemented comprehensive sanctions against those who support the power network in Moscow, and warned that the imposition of the visa ban against all Russians and innocents may reduce the effect of the sanctions.

Earlier, along with Finland, Estonia also opposed EU countries issuing tourist visas to Russians.