Ukraine Pushes Ban On Russian Tourists By EU, G7

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing the European Union (EU) to ban or limit visa issuances to Russians, saying more countries and politicians are joining the discussion on the matter, Ukraine Daily reported.

Photo Insert: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia also support banning tourist visas for Russians.

"When evil reaches such a scale, people's silence approaches the level of complicity. Therefore, if you have Russian citizenship and are silent, it means you support it. And no matter where you are, both in Russia and abroad, your voice should sound in support of Ukraine," Zelensky said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has also called for a tourist visa ban for Russians and asked the UN Word Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to initiate it as “tourism is a pillar of peace and international friendship... Russia’s actions are indefensible and contrary to the very principles of UNWTO.”

Kuleba said the EU and G7 must also impose such a tourist visa ban for Russians.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Piotr Wawrzyk said his country supports restricting visas for Russian citizens by the EU, Polskie Radio reported. Poland stopped issuing tourist visas to most Russian citizens several months ago.

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia also support banning tourist visas for Russians.

However, Germany, France, and the Netherlands are against the proposal, Wawrzyk said. Latvia has already prepared a bill restricting the use of the Russian language in the workplace and public places, Latvian Justice Minister Janis Bordans told Latvia's Delfi news site.

He said that almost 75% of citizens voted against Russian as the second language in a 2012 referendum.

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