The EU demands urgent action against Hungary for issuing visas to Russians

The European Union demands urgent measures against Hungary for issuing visas to Russians Margarita Voloshina

The EU is outraged by the simplification of visa issuance for Russians/Collage 24 Channel

Hungary recently simplified entry conditions for Russian citizens. The EU believes that Budapest's decision to ease visa restrictions for Russian tourists is an open door for spies

Therefore, the leaders of the European Union must take urgent countermeasures. This is the opinion of Manfred Weber, chairman of the largest party in the European Parliament, the European People's Party.

What the EU is saying about Hungary's actions

Manfred Weber assures that issuing EU visas to Russians who have not passed the check will allow them to travel freely throughout most of the EU and will give rise to “serious concerns about national security.”

Therefore, the chairman of the largest party in the European Parliament sent a letter to European Council President Charles Michel with a request to raise this issue at the next leaders' summit, which will take place in October 2024.

Hungary recently released details of a new fast-track visa system, which allows citizens of eight countries. Among them, oddly enough, were Belarus and Russia, which allows them to enter EU countries without security checks and other restrictions.

Budapest said that many of them will build a nuclear power plant using Russian technology. However, according to Weber, such a new immigration system raises doubts and could “create serious loopholes for espionage activities.”

According to him, this could potentially allow large numbers of Russians to enter Hungary with minimal controls, creating a serious risk to national security.”

Such a policy could also make it easier for Russians to travel within the Schengen area, bypassing restrictions under EU law, the European official emphasized.

The head of the European People's Party called on the European Union to take measures to protect the integrity of the Schengen area, reduce the security risk and prevent similar initiatives in the future.