Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, has expressed support for a potential European Union ban on entry for Russian military personnel. This proposal was highlighted by EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, during a recent meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Sybiha welcomed the initiative, stating that it sends a clear message to Russian citizens that participating in acts of aggression against Ukraine comes with significant consequences, including restrictions on travel to Europe. He characterized the proposed ban as a necessary step to ensure that those involved in the conflict do not have the privilege of visiting EU countries.
In her remarks, Borrell indicated that the European Commission would present formal proposals regarding entry restrictions for former Russian combatants at the upcoming European Council meeting in June. This announcement follows a collective appeal from Lithuania and seven other European nations urging the EU to impose travel bans on Russian citizens who have participated in military actions.
On March 5, Estonia implemented a lifetime entry ban for approximately 1,500 Russian military personnel involved in the conflict against Ukraine. The Estonian government has also been advocating for a broader EU initiative to restrict access to the Schengen Area for Russian soldiers who have engaged in hostilities.
According to Tallinn, since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, around 1.5 million Russian citizens have taken part in combat operations. This figure includes both regular armed forces and affiliated groups, such as the Wagner Group. Estimates suggest that roughly 640,000 of these individuals are still actively engaged in military operations, potentially subjecting nearly one million former combatants to EU travel restrictions.
Support for this initiative is echoed within Ukraine, where Sybiha emphasized that such measures would enhance long-term national security for European nations and protect their citizens from what he termed “Russian bandits.” He also noted that implementing these restrictions would establish a tangible cost for those participating in the invasion of Ukraine.
The EU is considering a travel ban for Russian military personnel as part of ongoing discussions on sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine. This initiative, supported by Ukraine's Foreign Minister, aims to hold accountable those involved in military aggression.