Sweden seeks EU visa restrictions for Russian sports representatives

Sweden has asked the European Commission for common EU rules allowing countries to refuse visas on nationality grounds, targeting Russian and Belarusian representatives at international sports events.

The government said on Friday that it also wants interim EU guidance for a more restrictive approach to applications under existing rules.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell and Social Minister Jakob Forssmed tied the request to Russia’s war against Ukraine and Belarus’s support for it. They argued that participation in European competitions should not restore international legitimacy while the war continues.

The request is for the Commission to present legislation and guidance. Friday’s announcement does not itself introduce a new EU visa ban.

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