EU to Tighten Visa Checks for Russians and Expand Sanctions Lists

The European Union intends to tighten checks on Russian citizens applying for visas, including scrutiny of applicants' military backgrounds, and to "unprecedentedly" expand its sanctions lists targeting Russian individuals and entities. This was stated by a senior official from the European External Action Service (EEAS) during a preparatory briefing in Brussels.

"There is a strong interest in more thoroughly checking how many Russians can enter Europe," he said ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled for October 12 in Luxembourg.

According to him, the EU plans to strengthen checks on Russian diplomats accredited to international organizations in European capitals, as well as to more carefully examine the military biographies of visa applicants.

"This is not about punishing innocent Russian civilians, but about better protecting ourselves using visa tools," the diplomat explained.

He noted that technical discussions on tightening visa rules have already begun and that there is political support for such measures. In his assessment, new restrictions could be introduced fairly quickly, but specific decisions still need to be discussed with EU member states.

The EEAS representative said that at the Luxembourg meeting, ministers are expected to approve a new sanctions list comprising more than 1,600 individuals and entities, primarily linked to the military-industrial complex, but also including 77 politicians associated with the organization of State Duma elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

Speaking about the effectiveness of sanctions pressure, the official expressed regret that they have not yet prompted the Russian leadership to realize that Russia cannot win the war and that its continuation is costly for the country and its people. At the same time, he emphasized that sanctions are limiting Moscow's ability to continue military actions, including by putting pressure on the Russian defense industry.

According to him, the EU continues to combat sanctions circumvention, including through the so-called shadow fleet, and aims to close new channels through which Russia receives goods necessary for its military industry.

He added that the Russian economy is suffering negative consequences from isolation, and the costs of continuing the war for Russia are increasing. Meanwhile, Brussels intends to seek new ways to increase pressure on Moscow.