Estonian PM: Russian Soldiers Should Be Banned From Schengen For Life

Most of them are criminals.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal says Russian soldiers who took part in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine should be banned for life from entering the Schengen zone, a proposal he seeks to turn into a pan-European policy. The Estonian government argues that the Kremlin's increased mobilization to sustain the offensive in Ukraine and make up for losses on the battlefield raises the possibility that even after the fighting ends, ex-combatants could pose a danger to the EU, reports Euronews.

"What will these people do? Most of them are criminals, but in Russia they are presented as heroes," Michal said in an interview on the margins of an EU meeting in Cyprus. - 'They will be formed as Wagner II, Wagner III private armies and will operate in Europe, Asia, Africa, on all continents.'

"Once again I want to ask everyone: do you want these guys near your home? No, you don't. Therefore, it is necessary to ban them from entering the Schengen area for life," the minister said.

Estonia began pushing for a Schengen ban earlier this year and gradually gained support from other member states until the European Council included the project in the final document at a summit in March.

The leaders instructed the European Commission to prepare "an assessment of possible ways to address this issue without affecting the competence of the member states in this area." Each EU country decides for itself to whom and under what conditions an entry visa is issued.

The Commission seeks to establish common rules to ensure a joint approach, since once a visa is issued, its recipient has the right to travel freely within the Schengen area. Given the huge number of former and active Russian soldiers, responsibility should be shared among all member states, Michal said.

"Estonia has already banned the entry of some 1,300 Russian fighters," he recalled. - We can do more, we can do 10 times more, but we cannot do it alone against a million soldiers. We need everyone's help."

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