Finland's prime minister to push EU-wide ban on Russian tourist visas

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo intends to use the European Council summit on 15-16 October to advocate for a bloc-wide suspension of tourist visa issuance to Russian nationals, warning that Moscow might exploit visitors to carry out sabotage in Europe. Finland has barred Russian tourist visas and tightened entry rules since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and in June 2026 eleven EU states asked the European Commission to tighten Schengen visa rules for Russians.

The Commission previously limited multiple-entry Schengen visas in November 2025, forcing a new visa for each trip. Orpo also criticized the recently announced Russia-United States diesel supply agreement, calling it a “terrible disappointment” with little impact on the U.S. economy or global markets. Any EU-wide ban would require unanimous member-state approval and detailed implementation criteria.