Key facts
- France and Italy are skeptical of a proposed EU ban on Russian combatants.
- The proposed ban targets current and former Russian combatants.
- France and Italy process the highest number of Russian visa applications.
- The countries cite legal and technical concerns about implementing the ban.
- The proposed ban is part of the 21st sanctions package against Russia.
France and Italy are voicing skepticism regarding a proposed European Union ban targeting current and former Russian combatants. These two member states, responsible for processing the largest volume of Russian visa applications within the EU, have raised significant legal and technical challenges concerning the practical execution of such a prohibition. The proposed ban is understood to be a component of the 21st sanctions package being considered against Russia. The core of their apprehension lies in the feasibility of enforcing a ban that would encompass individuals who have participated in combat, potentially including those with past military service. The logistical and legal complexities of identifying, verifying, and subsequently denying entry to such individuals are substantial. As key entry points for Russian citizens seeking to enter the EU, France and Italy's concerns carry considerable weight in the decision-making process for the bloc's sanctions regime. The EU is currently deliberating on this 21st package of measures aimed at further pressuring Russia.