The Baltic Times reports that Estonia is pressing the European Union to restrict the issuance of tourist visas to Russian citizens, reflecting broader security concerns in the Baltic region amid Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro said that Estonia's consistent pressure has led to a shift in the rhetoric of some EU member states and the European Commission. "I wouldn't want to say it's hopeless, because otherwise there would be no point in doing anything," Taro said on the Kuku radio program "Sihik," commenting on a recent meeting of EU interior ministers in Dublin.

Estonia ceased issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens immediately after Russia launched its full-scale aggression in Ukraine and also denies entry to Russian citizens who hold tourist visas issued by any other Schengen country. "Estonia does not let them in: they are formally denied entry and sent back," the minister said, adding that this policy applies at both land borders and airports.

Taro emphasized that Estonia's position has been clear from the start. "You cannot come to enjoy the Tallinn Christmas market while your country is bombing Ukraine," he said.

Estonia has consistently raised the visa issue at meetings of EU interior ministers. Taro expressed concern that according to last year's Schengen barometer, nearly half a million visas were issued to Russian citizens in eight months, and the trend was increasing. "I said that this is completely unacceptable," Taro recalled.

He noted that while some EU countries initially resisted Estonia's calls, their tone has since changed. "Their rhetoric has changed somewhat. It has become more apologetic; they claim that they are, in fact, conducting individual risk assessments," Taro said.

However, he stressed that the problem has not gone away. "Ukrainians are dying every day, and you are letting Russian citizens travel just for fun, because the Kremlin's goal is to show that nothing significant has happened," Taro said.

According to Taro, there is a general consensus within the European Union that visas should not be issued to military personnel involved in Russia's aggression. "I have not yet heard a representative of any country say that this is not the right thing to do," he said.

The Baltic Times is a monthly newspaper covering news from the Baltic region, including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

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