EU demands explanations from Hungary on visa facilitation for Russians
The European Union has expressed concern over Hungary's decision to ease visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens. The EU fears that this could increase the risk of espionage within the bloc.
This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Euractiv.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who remains one of the few EU leaders to maintain close ties with the Kremlin after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, recently signed a decree expanding the fast-track visa program to eight countries, including Russia and Belarus. Previously, this program provided "national cards" only to citizens of Ukraine and Serbia, allowing them to work in Hungary.
The European Parliament has expressed serious concerns that the easing of visa rules could create "serious loopholes for espionage activities." European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ilva Johansson agreed with these concerns and sent a letter to the Hungarian government asking it to respond to the questions by August 19.
Orban also irritated his EU colleagues when he traveled to Moscow on July 5 to meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, just days after Hungary assumed the EU Council presidency for six months.
Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 02/08/2024
