Latvian premier urges EU to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs called on European Union countries to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens. In a Financial Times interview, he described the measure as a way to prevent hybrid threats.

Kulbergs said Latvia faced such threats daily and expected its largest influx in five years of migrants trying to cross its borders. He urged other countries to take a firm position on visas.

European Commission data cited by the FT showed that France, Italy and Spain issued more than 70% of the over 600,000 Schengen visas granted to Russians in 2025. Those countries had previously opposed a tourist visa ban.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said EU leaders discussed tighter visa policy at their Brussels summit. He raised the possibility of further restrictions on private and business trips. An unnamed diplomat quoted by the FT said France would substantially reduce visa issuance, while Italy was open to discussion.

The EU suspended its visa facilitation agreement with Russia in September 2022. At the time, the fee rose from €35 to €80 and the standard processing period from 10 to 15 days. In November 2025, the Commission tightened multiple-entry visa rules while retaining exceptions for certain applicants.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called plans for further restrictions discrimination based on nationality and said Russia did not intend to shut out visitors coming for peaceful purposes. Vladimir Putin has previously said Russia does not threaten European countries.

In June 2026, the Commission said it was not preparing a complete tourist visa ban for Russians. Kulbergs's appeal does not itself constitute an EU decision to introduce one.