The European Union has agreed on measures in its 21st sanctions package to impose a ban on short-term EU visas for individuals who have participated in military action against Ukraine, whether in the Russian armed forces or other groups linked to the regime. The decision was made largely at Estonia's initiative.

The new sanctions package includes a decision to impose a visa ban on combatants who have taken part in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Consequently, the European Commission is expected to present proposals this autumn for the swift implementation of a ban to keep Russians who pose a threat to European security out of Europe.

Minister of the Interior Igor Taro noted that beginning the blanket sanctioning of Russian combatants is an important step in preventing and mitigating threats originating from Russia. "Combatants returning from the war pose a threat to Europe's internal security and public order due to their combat experience, violent and hostile attitudes towards Europe, their allegiance to the Russian regime and special services, and often, a prior criminal record," said Taro.

In addition to enhancing European security, Taro emphasized the importance of recognizing this achievement as the result of persistent work by Estonian officials and politicians. "In all recent foreign meetings, we have stressed that for Russian combatants, participating in the war against Ukraine must be their last trip abroad. They have no right to come here later for vacation or shopping, let alone the fact that trained combatants are a real security threat," Taro said.

Meanwhile, Tatiana Navka, the wife of Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, has filed a legal challenge against the European Union, seeking the annulment of sanctions imposed on her and compensation of over €2 million. Navka, a former Olympic ice-skating champion, was put on a sanctions list by the EU in June 2022 that targeted people over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

According to details published on the EU's EUR-Lex website, Navka is arguing that the reason for the restrictions on her had not been properly set out, that errors of law and factual assessment had been made, and that the EU had failed to prove a sufficient link between her and the stated aim of its sanctions.

In a separate development, Lithuania’s foreign ministry has proposed expanding national sanctions against Russian and Belarusian citizens by introducing new entry restrictions for supporters of Moscow’s war against Ukraine and tightening limits on purchasing property near strategically important sites. The draft amendments, announced on Monday, would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, if approved.

Under the proposal, Russian and Belarusian citizens, legal entities, and representatives of organizations would be denied entry to Lithuania for public activities in education, science, culture, sports, arts, or entertainment if authorities determine they support Russia’s war against Ukraine or have participated in activities in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. The restrictions would also apply to individuals who undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, or territorial integrity; support serious human rights violations or repression in Russia or Belarus; or engage in activities that threaten democracy and the rule of law.

The ministry said the amendments would establish a clear legal framework preventing public events from being used to spread propaganda or distort historical facts. “It is important to provide institutions with a clear legal basis for making timely, consistent, and well-founded decisions so that public activities in culture or entertainment are not used for propaganda, historical distortion, and the promotion of narratives aimed at influencing Lithuanian society,” the ministry said.

The proposal would also require Russian and Belarusian citizens seeking to participate in public activities in Lithuania to sign a declaration condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Applicants would also have to express support for the UN Charter and Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The declaration would be made public, and refusal to sign would result in denial of entry.

Russian and Belarusian citizens who do not support the war could still participate in events in Lithuania, however, cannot represent their home states and compete or perform as neutral participants.

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