**EU Countries Push to Bar Russian Citizens Who Fought in Ukraine from Schengen Area**
A group of European Union countries, including the Baltic states and Poland, are calling for a ban on Russian citizens who participated in the war against Ukraine from entering the visa-free Schengen Area. The move is aimed at addressing serious security concerns, according to Estonian broadcaster ERR.
The decision was made during a meeting of interior ministers from the Baltic states, Nordic countries, and Poland in Tallinn on June 19. They issued a joint statement confirming their intent to prevent entry into the visa-free Schengen zone for Russians who took part in the war against Ukraine.
“We must take a clear stance; these individuals cannot freely travel across Schengen,” said Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets. “We will not issue them residence permits or visas. This group, which has been killing and destroying, poses a very significant security threat to all of us.”
The restriction is meant to remain in place even after active hostilities cease in Ukraine. The Schengen Area allows for visa-free travel across 29 European countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
**Security Concerns Intensify**
Concerns over the abuse of Schengen visas and diplomatic privileges have intensified amid a wave of suspected Russian sabotage and espionage on EU soil. Polish and Czech authorities have recently led an effort to limit the movement of Russian diplomats within the bloc, targeting individuals allegedly working under diplomatic cover for Russian intelligence services.
Latvia has been among the most vocal proponents of stricter visa policies for Russian nationals. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze urged all EU countries to suspend visa issuance to Russians, citing escalating security threats from Moscow.
**Russian Aggression Continues**
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, with reports of Russian forces launching 86 Shahed-type attack drones and decoys against Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 34 drones, while 36 disappeared from radars or were intercepted by electronic warfare.
In a separate incident, Russian forces struck residential buildings in Odesa overnight on June 20, killing a civilian and injuring at least 14 others, including three emergency workers, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
**EU Support for Ukraine**
The European Commission has proposed that Ukraine join the European Union’s mobile roaming area starting January 1, 2026. This would provide Ukrainian users with the ability to make phone calls, texts, and use mobile data in the bloc’s 27 countries at no extra charge.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 19 that he held talks with the SBU about deep strikes in Russia. “Russia must continue to suffer entirely justified losses due to its aggression.”
**International Reaction**
The international community has condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Dutch parliament declared that the Soviet-led deportation of Crimean Tatars constitutes genocide by contemporary legal and historical definitions.
In a separate statement, Pyongyang is reportedly seeking drone operation training in return for providing technical assistance to Russia.
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