Ukraine's PM: EU should completely stop issuing visas to russians
photo: Government portal
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal considers the European Union's decision to suspend the agreement on a simplified visa regime with russia insufficient.
He said this in an interview with Politico.
"Visas have to be stopped or suspended for the time being while Russia is waging a terrorist war," Shmyhal said.
The head of the Ukrainian government criticized the decision of EU foreign ministers to suspend the 2007 visa facilitation agreement with russia, a move that will make the visa process more burdensome and expensive but will not abolish it entirely.
"This is not enough. We believe that not only should the so-called visa application not be in place, but tougher sanctions should be taken, vis-à-vis tourists and students," the prime minister said.
When asked whether ordinary russians and students should be punished for "putin's war in Ukraine," Shmyhal pointed out that 85 percent of russians support Putin and the war.
"People need to know that by supporting Putin and his aggression … they have to pay for this support," he said.
The head of the Ukrainian government also explained how exactly, in his opinion, the ban on issuing visas to russians can help change public opinion in russia.
"Visas have to be stopped or suspended," Shmyhal said. "Instead of tourists or students going to Europe to enjoy life or to study, they ought to remain within their country and tell their neighbors, their relatives, their circle the way Europe really sees russia. This should be like a cold shower on the whole of russian society—to allow them to understand the consequences of what they are doing in Ukraine."
The prime minister is scheduled to meet on Sunday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The latter has opposed a total russian visa ban.
Then Ukraine's PM is moving to Brussels on Monday to attend the EU-Ukraine Association Council. This group occasionally gathers to review the bloc's relationship with the aspiring member.
Shmyhal said he would raise the visa issue with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell at Monday's meeting in Brussels.
Shmyhal is also planning to request more heavy weaponry from European allies as the Ukrainian army pushes ahead with a counteroffensive in Kherson.
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