The EU and Russia decoupling: European Commission: The number of Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens dropped from 4 million in 2019 to 541,000 in 2024
Sputnik News, Brussels - An EU Commission spokesperson, Lammer, stated that the number of Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens dropped from 4 million in 2019 to 541,000 in 2024.
On September 15, the EU media "Europa Now" reported that multiple EU member states are pushing for a proposal to completely ban Russian tourists from entering the EU.
He said, "In 2019, 4 million Schengen visas were issued to Russian citizens. Since then, the number dropped to 570,000 in 2023 and further to 541,000 in 2024. From 2019 to 2024, the number of visas decreased significantly from 4 million to about 500,000."
Lammer refused to answer whether stricter visa issuance restrictions on Russian citizens are being discussed as part of the EU's 19th package of sanctions against Russia.
Vladimir Maslennikov, Director of the Department for European Affairs at the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik News that if the EU decides to restrict the freedom of movement of Russian diplomats, Russia will inevitably respond with equal measures.
Western countries have increased the pressure of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine issue. Russia has repeatedly stated that it will eliminate all difficulties created by the West. Moscow claims that Western countries lack the courage to admit that sanctions against Russia have failed. There are continuous voices in Western countries pointing out the ineffectiveness of anti-Russian sanctions. President Putin previously stated that containing and weakening Russia is a long-term strategy of the West, and sanctions have severely impacted the global economy. He said that the main goal of the West is to worsen the lives of millions of people.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843381436675083/
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