German Chancellor Scholz has spoken out against a Europe-wide visa ban on Russians over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Stating that the war is Putin’s war, Scholz warned that the visa ban against all Russians and innocents could reduce the impact of sanctions.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposed a ban on issuing tourist visas to European Union (EU) countries to all Russian citizens due to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
At a press conference in Berlin, Scholz evaluated Estonia and Finland’s request for European countries to impose a tourist visa ban on Russians.
“This is Putin’s war”
“This is (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s war. That’s why I have a hard time with this idea,” Scholz said, recalling that the EU has already imposed comprehensive sanctions against those who support the power network in Moscow.
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Scholz warned that applying this (visa ban) against all Russians and innocents could reduce the impact of the sanctions.
Emphasizing support for Ukraine
Underlining that they will continue to support Ukraine against Russia, Scholz said that they have taken far-reaching decisions for Ukraine’s struggle for independence and that they will continue to do so in the coming period.
In response to a question on whether the German government is working to hold Putin accountable for war crimes in Ukraine, Scholz said that he believes that every measure should be taken to bring all war crimes to light.
Price increases
Stating that they will continue to take measures to reduce the financial burden of the people due to the price increases in the country, Scholz said, “We will do everything to get the people through this difficult period.”
Scholz emphasized that the government will put forward a new financial package and that no one will shoulder these financial difficulties alone and said, “We will not leave anyone alone.”
Alternative energy sources
Stating that he supports the construction of a gas pipeline from Portugal and Spain to Central Europe via France in order to provide new energy sources, Scholz said that such a line should have been built by now and that it is now felt that this is lacking.
Scholz pointed out that such a pipeline could ease the current situation and for this reason, he noted that he met with the leaders of Spain, Portugal, France and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to initiate such a project.
