Finland wants stricter visa regime for Russians

Finland wants stricter visa regime for Russians.

The Finnish government wants to strengthen visa rules for Russian citizens, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said.

A change in the issuance of tourist visas for Russian citizens is planned, he claimed.

Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing measures to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the end of the month, Finland’s foreign minister said.

It is not enough for Finland to make such a decision on its own, but there should be the same guidelines throughout the Schengen area, Haavisto noted.

Parliamentarians across the political spectrum supported the measure, adding that it is a product of Russian aggression against Ukraine that began in February.

Finland shares a border with Russia that is 1,340 kilometers long, the longest of any EU country.

Otherwise, until now Russian tourists could enter the Schengen area by bus or car across the Finnish border.