Latvian President Egils Levits supports ban on issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens

Latvian President Egils Levits has called for considering policy of issuing residence permits to Russian citizens. In his dress at 23rd Annual Meeting of politically repressed people in Ikskile, Levits called for reviewing residence permits and visas alrey issued to Russian nationals in Latvia and cancellation of citizenship for those supporting Moscow's offensive. He underscored that Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Czech Republic and or like-minded nations should call on European Union to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian nationals.  

"I believe that Latvia, toger with Finland, Estonia, Czech Republic and or like-minded countries, should put forward a demand at European level to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens. This will be ditional sanctions against Russia," Egils Levits said in his dress. 

"I also think that at same time residence permits and visas alrey issued in Latvia should be reviewed. Those who support Russian aggression should have m cancelled. However, in any case, y should t in principle be extended, except in specific proven special circumstances," he ded.

Egils Levits furr said, " tre in residence permits by previous governments, ir unjustified generosity in issuing residence permits to Russian citizens, behind which only vested interests of some political dealers were hidden, created security risks and promoted bilingualism. It is time to reconsider this unsuccessful and dangerous policy." In his dress, Egils Levits stressed that Russia has always been a "threat" to its neighbours. Levits stated that residence permits should t be issued to permanent residents of Latvia who will take Russian citizenship. He asserted that se people should leave Latvia. Egils Levits said that Latvia has t issued a single tourist visa to Russians since Moscow launched an offensive in Ukraine. He affirmed that Latvia supports supply of necessary military equipment for Ukraine and tough sanctions against Russia. 

Zelenskyy calls on West to ban entry of Russian citizens 

Earlier this week, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on all Western nations to ban entry for all Russians. In an interview with Washington Post, Zelenskyy stressed that " most important sanctions are to close borders because Russians are taking away someone else's land." Meanwhile, Estonia on August 11 anunced its decision to longer allow entry of Russian nationals who have Schengen visas issued by Estonia.

decision regarding ban on entry of Russians with Estonia-issued Schengen visas will take effect on August 18, according to statement issued by Estonian Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs. decision was anunced by Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu. An exception has been me in decision for students studying in Estonia. students will be able to extend ir residence permits for one year. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Estonian FM Urmas Reinsalu said that Estonia has decided to t allow Russians with Schengen visas granted by Estonia and called on or nations to take similar measures. 

Im: AP