Estonia Leads Push To Sanction Russian Citizens

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement requesting that the EU "introduce an eighth sanctions package," that expands travel restrictions on Russian citizens.

• The statements says that Estonia decided to make an official proposal to the European Commission to impose the eighth sanctions package against Russia following a cabinet meeting yesterday.
• Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said it is, "crucial to expedite the adoption of the next sanctions package to make the restrictive measures imposed on Russia more severe and efficient."
• Statement: "In the eighth package, Estonia would like to see the expansion of economic, energy and trade sanctions, and additional individuals and entities added to the sanctioned list."
• Cont. "Estonia would also like to see a considerable expansion of sanctions on the travel of Russian citizens."
• Yesterday, Estonia unliterally implemented a travel ban on Russian nationals who hold travel and work visas. According to Bloomberg Estonia has issued 50,000 such visas and Estonia is one of the main entry points into the EU for Russian citizens since the EU stopped flights from Russia.
• The Czech Republic, the rotating president of the EU, said it will hold an informal meeting of European foreign ministers on Aug. 31 to discuss a union-wide ban.
• Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said his government approves of a ban: “We are convinced as a government that halting visas for ordinary Russian citizens gives a very clear and straightforward signal to the Russian society.”