In a move that could reshape the bloc's migration and security policies, Germany has formally asked the European Union to restrict tourist visas for Russian citizens. The request follows an attempted drone and explosive attack on Leipzig Airport, which German authorities attribute to Moscow.
The incident, not publicly claimed, involved a Belarusian national with a Russian passport who entered the Schengen Area using a tourist visa issued by the Italian embassy in Minsk. According to The Guardian, there is no evidence the suspect traveled to Italy, highlighting a potential exploitation of visas for espionage and sabotage.
Germany's Stance: Control and Consistency with Sanctions
The German Foreign Ministry considers the current number of tourist visas granted to Russians as excessive and contrary to the spirit of EU sanctions over the war in Ukraine. It also complicates control over who enters the bloc, a critical issue amid rising hybrid threats.
Berlin has already taken unilateral measures: closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn, summoning the Russian ambassador, and increased monitoring of Russia's so-called shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea. However, the chancellery seeks a coordinated European response.
Visa Data: Italy, France, and Spain Account for 75% of Russian Applications
According to data cited by The Guardian, Italy issued more Schengen visas than any other EU country in 2025. Together with France and Spain, they received 75% of visa applications from Russian citizens.
| Country | Visas to Belarusians (2021) | Visas to Belarusians (2025) | Visas to Russians (2021) | Visas to Russians (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 2,968 | 50,709 | 63,894 | over 165,000 |
The exponential increase in visas to Belarusians and Russians has raised alarm in Berlin, which sees these numbers as a gateway for hostile activities.
Political Reactions and EU Measures
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani ordered a review of the Belarusian suspect's visa, while the EU has already implemented its 22nd sanctions package against Russia, including expanding the list of Russian citizens banned from entering the bloc.
German politician Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU) was blunt: he called for an immediate suspension of the tourist visa program for Russians, calling the security risk enormous. According to Kiesewetter, visas are exploited for espionage and sabotage, contradicting the strategy of isolating Russia.
Countries Already Restricting Visas for Russians
Several European countries have already taken drastic measures: Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and the Czech Republic have stopped issuing visas to Russians or drastically reduced them. However, the lack of a common policy leaves gaps that Moscow could exploit.
The Other Perspective: Will It Really Curb Sabotage?
Anti-war activists and analysts warn that tightening visas may not be enough. Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti, researcher at ISPI (Italian Institute for International Political Studies), notes that countries near Russia or with Russian minorities have already reduced visas, even for students. But agent recruitment is increasingly done remotely, via Telegram and cryptocurrencies, and often involves Ukrainian or Baltic citizens, not necessarily Russians.
The discussion on Russian visas is part of a broader debate on balancing security with human rights and diplomatic relations. While Germany pushes for a hard line, the EU must find a balance that does not isolate Russian dissidents fleeing Putin's regime.
Source: The Guardian