Navalnaya Appeals to EU: Reject Blanket Visa Ban for Russian Citizens

Yulia Navalnaya appealed to the European Union on Wednesday, urging against the implementation of restrictions on tourist visas for Russian nationals. She contended that such actions would adversely affect ordinary citizens and bolster Kremlin propaganda.

The Italian news agency ANSA reported that EU member states are considering stricter regulations for tourist visas due to a surge in applications from Russians over the summer. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas mentioned that the bloc’s 19th sanctions package is expected to be finalized by the end of September.

In her correspondence with Kallas, Navalnaya emphasized that President Vladimir Putin does not represent the entirety of Russia and asserted that ordinary citizens should not be blamed for the ongoing conflict.

As the widow of the late activist Alexei Navalny, she cautioned that a ban on tourist visas would disproportionately affect Russians who still feel a connection to Europe, rather than the elites that Putin depends on.

“There is no basis for believing that exerting pressure on all citizens will sway the opinions of Russia’s leadership and its president,” she expressed.

Navalnaya further encouraged Brussels to enhance targeted sanctions aimed at Putin’s inner circle instead.

“The potential for personal sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s closest associates and members of his elite is far from being fully exploited,” she noted, identifying individuals like conductor Valery Gergiev and billionaire Leonid Mikhelson, who are linked to the Kremlin or benefiting from the war.

She concluded that imposing broad restrictions on Russian travelers would serve to validate the Kremlin’s narrative of isolation. “To achieve peace in Europe, it is counterproductive to support Russian authorities in isolating Russian society,” Navalnaya stated.