EU travel restrictions for Russian citizens is crucial, Lithuanian foreign minister says
Gabrielius Landsbergis (Photo:NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization/www.flickr.com)
Even Russians who oppose the invasion of Ukraine should remain in Russia, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told German broadcaster Deutsche Welle on Aug. 13.
Landsbergis said that 5-10% of Russians oppose the war against Ukraine. He suggested that this means there are at least one million Russian citizens who could prove key in influencing an eventual Kremlin policy shift.
“I’m convinced that (political) change has to come from within,” said Landsbergis.
“And if we hope to ever see a democratic Russia, its emergence will depend on these very people.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier said that a visa ban on Russian citizens would be one of the most powerful tools to potentially force Russia to change course.
The Czech Republic said intends to include the measure on the agenda for the September meeting of the Council of the European Union – as it currently chairs the body.
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