- EU foreign ministers showed broad support for a EU-wide entry ban on Russian ex-combatants in Wicklow, Ireland.
- Ministers also backed tougher Schengen visa restrictions for Russian tourists, but no final decision was adopted.
- Russian nationals already lost multiple-entry Schengen visas in November 2025 and must now apply for each trip.
EU foreign ministers gave broad support Tuesday in Wicklow, Ireland, for an EU-wide entry ban for Russian ex-combatants and tougher visa restrictions for Russian tourists. No final ban emerged.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said the shift grew out of security worries. She put it bluntly.
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“There was broad support to move with an EU visa entry ban for Russian ex-combatants and tougher visa restrictions for Russian tourists.”
“It is not okay that the country is bombing Ukraine, killing civilians in July and August more than ever during this war, and at the same time Russians are entering and enjoying the hospitality of European countries.”
“It should not work this way, and many Member States have flagged this before that actually these kinds of tourist visas are used for the sabotage acts because these people need to get into the European Union.”
Kallas tied the discussion to sabotage concerns and to the failed drone attack on Leipzig/Halle airport. A suspect entered the bloc on an Italian tourist visa. The airport case sharpened the pitch.
The push concerns tourist Schengen visas, not long-term national visas for study or work. Ministers did not adopt a final EU decision. Kallas said unanimity still does not exist.
Visa policy also remains a national competence, which leaves the Commission coordinating pressure rather than setting a single rule by itself. Russian nationals lost access to multiple-entry Schengen visas in November 2025, and now have to apply for each trip. That change still matters.
Tourist visas remain a national fight
Germany has pushed for more cuts, and its foreign ministry says it wants the number of visas issued to Russians “reduced even further.” Martin Giese, speaking for Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, said the ministry would not spell out the exact restrictions in advance so they could not be evaded. The ministry stayed vague.
Ireland backed the move too. Helen McEntee, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence of Ireland, said Dublin would support any such ban during the Wicklow press conference.
Pressure has also built from 11 European countries over the past few months. Their governments want tighter tourism controls. The split remains real.
The combatant track rests on July sanctions text
A separate track targets current and former Russian combatants. Officials said the legal groundwork sits in the 21st sanctions package in July 2026, which covered people who directly participated in the war since 24 February 2022 in the Russian armed forces or affiliated formations. That track is distinct.
The European Commission aims to present implementing measures in October 2026. October will bring details.
