23/08/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 22 August, at a conference in Spain, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, spoke out against an EU-wide visa ban for all Russian citizens travelling to Europe. “Banning all Russians from entering is not a good idea”, he said. “More than 300,000 Russians have [fled] their country. Are we going to slam the door shut on these Russians?” he asked. The visa facilitation agreement for Russian citizens will be discussed next week in Prague when Foreign Ministers meet at the request of Finland and the Baltic States (see EUROPE 13004/2). The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has also opposed an EU-wide ban. (SP)