Prague, Czech Republic. File photoPRAGUE, Aug 20Influential members of the leadership of both chambers of the Czech Parliament, the head of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security of the Senate Pavel Fischer and the head of the Committee on International Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies Marek Zhenishek opposed the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian citizens, Czech Radio reported. Recently, representatives of a number of Western states called for a ban on the issuance of visas to Russian citizens. The Kremlin said that they hoped for the sober thinking of the EU in the issue of issuing a «Schengen» to the Russians. They added that Russia would react extremely negatively if the Russians were denied Schengen visas, this would entail retaliatory measures and a counter-reaction. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov noted that European countries unfriendly to Russia are imposing sanctions «to the point of unconsciousness.»Experts said that the refusal of visas as EU sanctions was ineffective «For the safety of EU citizens, including Czech citizens, the issuance of Schengen visas for citizens of the Russian Federation should be completely stopped. But for those Russians who need support, the right apply to EU countries for residence and international protection,» Fischer said. According to Fischer, he has long advocated such measures. Among other things, Fischer called scandalous the permission of some EU countries to issue citizenship or residence permits to Russian businessmen in exchange for their investments in the economy of these countries. According to Zhenishek, the ban on the issuance of Schengen visas to Russians should have been one of the first sanctions against the Russian Federation. According to Fischer and Zhenishek, the idea of banning the issuance of Schengen visas to Russians throughout the EU is supported by many members of both chambers of the Czech Parliament. was issued on February 25, and in July it was extended until the end of March 2023. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky intends to raise the issue of a ban on the issuance of Schengen visas for Russians within the entire EU at an extraordinary meeting of the heads of diplomatic departments of the EU countries, which is scheduled to be held on 30-31 August 2022 in Prague. The Czech Republic is presiding over the EU in the second half of this year.
