EU Demands Hungary Respond on Visa Rules for Russians

The European Union has expressed serious concerns regarding Hungary's recent decision to relax visa regulations for Russian and Belarusian nationals, citing potential risks of espionage within the bloc. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has maintained close ties with the Kremlin since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, signed a decree earlier this month extending a fast-track visa scheme to eight countries, including Russia and Belarus. This program allows citizens from these nations to apply for “national cards” to work in Hungary, a significant shift from previous policies that only included Ukrainian and Serbian citizens. The European Parliament's largest political group has voiced alarm over the implications of these relaxed rules, warning that they could create "grave loopholes for espionage activities" as Russia seeks to infiltrate the EU amid ongoing conflict. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has echoed these concerns, stating that the situation necessitates heightened vigilance against potential security threats posed by Russian operatives. In a letter to the Hungarian government, Johansson requested a response to a series of questions by August 19, emphasizing the need for clarity on whether the new visa scheme poses a risk to EU security. She underscored the importance of maintaining strict controls, stating, “Giving potential Russian spies and saboteurs easy EU access would undermine the security of us all.” Orbán's recent visit to Moscow, shortly after Hungary assumed the EU's rotating presidency, has further strained relations with other EU leaders.