Germany urges EU to cut Russian holiday visas after sabotage probe

Germany has called on the European Union to restrict holiday visas for Russian citizens after a Belarusian man investigated over an alleged attempt to attack Leipzig airport was found to have been travelling on a tourist visa issued by Italy, the Guardian reported on Friday.

The case has sharpened a long-running debate inside the EU over whether ordinary Russian visitors should still enjoy freedom of movement across the bloc while the war in Ukraine continues. Germany is now pushing for a coordinated response, arguing that Schengen-issued visas granted by one member state become a liability for the whole border-free area.

The development lands at a sensitive moment for Italy, whose consulates have been among the most active in the Schengen area in issuing visas to Russian applicants. The revelation that an Italian-issued document is at the centre of a German security investigation is likely to complicate Rome's position in the coming discussions.