8 EU leaders urge visa ban for Russians fighting in Ukraine: Report

ISTANBUL

Eight EU leaders called for a visa ban for Russian servicemen who have fought in Ukraine, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported Friday.

"Beyond the military threat, we must also address internal security challenges arising from this war," said a joint letter from the leaders of Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Lithuania and Romania.

The letter written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa warned that individuals who fought in the Russian armed forces could threaten internal security through crime, extremist ties, or Moscow-linked hostile activities.

"We stress the need to fully use existing tools to address the security risks related to identified former and current soldiers of the aggressor state,” the letter said. “This includes, where possible and justified, refusing visas and residence permits and imposing long-term entry bans across the entire Schengen area.”

The leaders also called on other EU member states to support the initiative.