Media: EU may soften proposed entry ban on participants in Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Union is considering a scaled-back version of its proposal to ban visas for people who fought on Russia's side in Ukraine as part of the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia.

As reported by Euronews, under the proposal currently under discussion, the ban would apply only to short-stay visas and only to individuals who directly participated in combat operations in Ukraine.

The measure would form part of the EU's 21st package of sanctions imposed in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In recent weeks, France and Italy have opposed a full entry ban for participants in Russia's war against Ukraine, arguing that the issue should be addressed through visa policy rather than sanctions. They also warned that such a measure could create practical difficulties for countries processing large numbers of Russian visa applications.

To address those concerns, Ireland, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, has proposed limiting the measure to short-stay visas. The revised proposal would apply only to individuals who serve or have served in the Russian armed forces or in irregular armed groups controlled by or acting on behalf of Moscow, and only if they directly participated in combat operations in Ukraine after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The original proposal was significantly broader, covering anyone who had served in the Russian armed forces, including in administrative or logistical roles. The revised draft also removes the presumption that visa applicants participated in the war unless they could prove otherwise.

The list of exemptions has also been expanded.

Under the original proposal, the only exemption would have allowed visas to be issued to applicants who could prove they have deserted the Russian armed forces or opposed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

The latest version also allows entry or transit on humanitarian grounds, for national interest reasons, or to fulfil international obligations.

In such exceptional cases, the visa would be valid only for the territory of the EU member state that issued it, meaning the holder would not be able to travel to another member state without that country's consent.

According to the European Commission's timetable, the 21st EU sanctions package against Russia must be approved by 15 July, ahead of the deadline for renewing the price cap on Russian oil.

At the beginning of June, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the proposed 21st sanctions package against Russia.

Shortly afterwards, Bulgaria said it would block the package because it included Patriarch Kirill in the proposed sanctions list. Italy later joined Bulgaria in raising similar objections.