Lithuania may consider regional visa ban for Russians

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) – Lithuania may consider a regional visa ban for Russians, said the country’s foreign minister on Tuesday.

“If a solution for EU-wide visa ban for Russians is not found, we do not rule out looking for a regional solution that would involve the Baltic states, Poland and, potentially, Finland,” said Gabrielius Landsbergis, according to public broadcaster LRT.

Landsbergis drew attention that with air links with European capitals cut off, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Poland are the main route for Russians and Belarusians to Europe.

“A regional solution would obviously lead to a significant reduction in traveler numbers,” he said.

Stressing the Lithuanian parliament has recognized Russia as a state that commits genocide and supports terrorism, the minister asserted that Russians should not be allowed to travel to the EU for tourism.

Landsbergis, however, noted that humanitarian visas would continue to be issued to people persecuted by the Russian or Belarusian regimes and their family members.