Visa-free regime for Ukraine under threat? EU changes rules for countries with violations

On Tuesday, October 7, the European Parliament approved a law that significantly simplifies the procedure for suspending visa-free travel for states that pose a threat to EU security or violate fundamental human rights.

This was reported by a correspondent of “European Truth” from Strasbourg.

The bill was voted in favor by 518 MPs, with 96 against and 24 abstentions. The document now needs final approval by the EU Council.

According to the new mechanism, the rules apply to 61 countries whose citizens currently have the right to visa-free entry to the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period — among them Ukraine.

Among the grounds for suspending visa-free travel may now be the so-called hybrid threats: “instrumentalization” of migration, citizenship-for-investment programs (“golden passports”), inconsistency with EU visa policy, as well as violations of the UN Charter, international or humanitarian law.

Under the new rules, the European Commission will have the right to initiate the procedure for suspending visa-free travel, either independently or at the request of a third party. At the first stage, a temporary suspension will be possible, and later, an indefinite ban is possible.

As a reminder, the European Union has decided to tighten rules on the movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen area. This was in response to a series of acts of sabotage, which, according to intelligence, were carried out by Russian special services officers acting under the cover of diplomatic status.

As reported, the Baltic countries, Northern Europe and Poland plan to ban Russian citizens who participated in the war against Ukraine from entering the Schengen zone. The joint decision has already been approved by the interior ministers of the respective states.

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