Sweden wants to stop Russian tourists in the EU
Sweden and several other EU countries have now taken a stance on the issue of Russian citizens' opportunities to travel within Europe. The government wants to see a joint decision within the EU to limit the number of Russian tourists who can visit member states.
The background to the proposal is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Many countries believe it is problematic that Russian citizens can vacation in Europe while the war is ongoing. The Swedish government believes it is important that the EU acts united on this issue to show clarity towards Russia.
Today, hundreds of thousands of Russian tourists enter the EU via various borders. Critics of the current system argue that these trips undermine the sanctions that the EU has already imposed. By introducing a ban, they hope to increase diplomatic pressure on the Russian state.
The issue is complex, however, because there are different opinions within the EU on how such a ban should be designed. Some countries are worried that a total ban could also affect Russian citizens who need protection or who have family in Europe. Discussions are now continuing at a high political level to find a solution that all member states can accept.
It remains to be seen how the EU will handle the situation moving forward. For Sweden, the goal is to create a unified European policy that clearly marks a distancing from Russia's actions in Ukraine.