Media: EU may tighten issuance of tourist visas to Russians In new sanctions package

As part of preparations for the 19th sanctions package against Russia, the European Commission is considering additional restrictions on issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, ANSA reports, citing undisclosed sources.

Earlier, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said the new EU sanctions package could also include a ban on the free movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area.

The 19th sanctions package, expected to be unveiled in October 2025, reflects the EU’s ongoing efforts to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. However, the package is unlikely to include major new restrictions on Russian energy exports, such as oil, due to limited remaining options and resistance from member states like Hungary and Slovakia, which rely on Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline. Instead, the focus is on targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels used to circumvent oil sanctions and companies aiding Russia in evading existing restrictions.

By Khagan Isayev