Germany urges EU to cut Russians' holiday visas after sabotage attacks

Germany has called on the European Union to restrict holiday visas for Russian citizens following a series of sabotage attacks, according to the Guardian. The appeal comes after a Belarusian national, said to have been travelling on a tourist visa issued by Italy, was investigated over an alleged attempt to attack Leipzig airport.

The case has reignited a long-running debate within the bloc over the Schengen Area's shared visa regime, where a document issued by one member state grants access to all. Italy's role in the affair places the country at the centre of a security dispute that reaches far beyond its borders.

For the Veneto region, the implications are tangible. Venice, whose economy depends heavily on tourism, has in recent years courted Russian visitors even as European sanctions tightened. The airport at Venice Marco Polo is a key Schengen entry point, and any tightening of visa rules would be felt in the city's hotels and restaurants.