Filenews 16 August 2022
Scandinavian countries and Germany appeared on Monday in Oslo to be divided over the possibility of limiting, in retaliation for the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, the tourist visas given to the Russians, a punitive measure recommended by Helsinki but met with reservations in Berlin.
"They support war"
"The ordinary Russians did not start the war but, at the same time, we must understand that they support the war," Finland's prime minister, Sana Marin, summed up during a meeting between the heads of government of the Scandinavian countries and Germany.
"It is not right for Russian citizens to be able to enter Europe, the Schengen area, as tourists (...) while Russia is killing people in Ukraine," he added during a joint press conference.
In early August, the Finnish Foreign Ministry presented a plan to limit visas to Russians who want to go to the country for tourism. Helsinki wants a similar decision to be taken at European Union level. Estonia is in favour of the idea.
After the ban on flights from Russia to the EU, Russian tourists going to the Scandinavian country are increasingly numerous, as it shares borders with their homeland. From there they go to other European states.
Reservations from Scholz
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, however, expressed reservations about taking this measure.
"It was an important decision on our part to impose sanctions against those responsible for the war, against the oligarchs and those who benefit economically from the war of the regime of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," he stressed.
"We will continue to do so, but I think this is not a war of the Russian people, it is a war by Putin," he continued.
In Mr Scholz's view, restricting visas would also affect "those fleeing Russia because they disagree with the Russian regime."
"All the decisions we make should not make it more complicated for them to seek freedom and leave the country to move away from the regime and dictatorship in Russia," he added.
Sweden does not take a stand
Sweden, through its Prime Minister Eva Magdalena Anderson, said it was not taking a position on this issue for the time being - "there are arguments on both sides", Ms Anderson explained - while Denmark called for European unity to be maintained vis-à-vis Moscow.
"One of our achievements during this war is our unity" and "we should have this discussion", about curbing the travel of Russian tourists, Danish Prime Minister Mete Frederixen said.
"I understand why some Europeans, and probably especially Ukrainians, find it a little strange that Russia attacked a European country and at the same time we continue to welcome tourists" from it, he explained.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gar Stere, whose country is not an EU member state, assured that Oslo would support any joint action decided to be taken.
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