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Stop EU visas for Russians: Scholz skeptical, Finland for it
“Whatever decisions we make should not make it difficult for Russian citizens to seek freedom and leave the country.” This was stated by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who repeated his skepticism about an EU freeze on tourist visas for all Russians. “It’s not the Russian people’s war, it’s Putin’s war,” Scholz repeated at a press conference in Oslo after meeting the prime ministers of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden.
The position of Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin is different: “Russian citizens did not start the war, but at the same time we have to recognize that they support it” and “I don’t think that’s right. Russian citizens should join the EU and the Schengen area while Russia kills people in Ukraine ».
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed her sympathy for the Finnish position, adding that she believed the issue needed to be discussed.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has called for a joint EU approach, saying there are arguments for both positions. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Strêre also said it was important to discuss the issue.