Germany doesn't support calls for EU-wide tourist visa ban on Russians, says Olaf Scholz

Amid ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that his country is t in favour of supporting or European Union (EU) nations' calls to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian people. countries supporting such a ban argue that European vacations for Russians should be prohibited until Moscow does t stop war in Ukraine. rdic countries like Finland and Denmark have called on EU to make a decision, while some nations that border Russia have alrey stopped issuing visas to Russian people. 

"This is t war of Russian people. It is Russian President Vlimir Putin’s war and we have to be very clear on that topic. All decisions we make within EU should t make it more complicated to go for freedom, to leave country for Russians," Scholz stated,  Associated Press (AP) reported. He furr said that it is crucial to comprehend that many people are leaving Russia because y don't agree with government re. Scholz me se statements on sidelines of a one-day summit of five rdic leers in Oslo to which German chancellor was also invited.

EU foreign ministers to discuss matter on August 31

According to reports, EU foreign ministers are likely to discuss this matter during ir informal meeting on August 31. Meanwhile, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who supports visa ban, stressed that it's an issue which requires a discussion. “It is t a black or white question, re are shes of grey," she said at a press conference in Oslo. tably, EU restricted air travel from Russia after it launched a full-fledged war in Ukraine in late February. However, Russians are still allowed to travel by land to neighbouring EU nations. 

US t in favour of imposing a visa ban on Russian citizens

Meanwhile, United States has also stated that it is t in favour of imposing a visa ban on Russian citizens. deputy spokesperson of US Department of State underscored that government is unlikely to forbid Russian citizens from obtaining visas since it does t intend to cause any impact of sanctions on common people of Russia. statement came after Ukraine, along with a few or countries, urged West to stop providing visas to Russian citizens in wake of Putin's "unjustified" war. 

(With inputs from AP)

Im: AP/Shutterstock