Stop Genocide In Ukraine By Cancelling All Russian Visas

This week the European Union will consider closing off immigration visas to Russians who seek to travel abroad. The issue is whether there should be a blanket halt to all visas, or a targeted policy impacting those who need to be sanctioned while enabling a brain drain of Russian scientists and skilled workers, encouraging students, and supporting dissidents. It may be helpful for those who are considering these questions, and who may not be up to date on the details of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to briefly consider some key facts that could influence their decision on this immigration question.

Key Facts About The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

Several international political leaders, including President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, as well as several governments, including Latvia’s and Estonia’s, have declared Russian actions in Ukraine to be a genocide. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pointed out that the Russian invasion is more than just a land grab and that President Putin has openly acknowledged his intent to eliminate the “anti-Russia” next door, that is, to eradicate Ukraine. There is a broad international consensus that Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine must be stopped. Anyone who still has doubts about that needs only to view the recently published New York Times photo display that presents the savagery and the inhumanity that has been inflicted on Ukraine. “Never again” is happening in Ukraine today.

Millions of Ukrainians Affected

The U.N. agency that deals with refugees recently pointed out, “Since 24 February 2022, one-third of Ukrainians have been forced from their homes. This is the largest human displacement crisis in the world today. Some 7 million people have been displaced internally within Ukraine and some 13 million people are estimated to be stranded in affected areas or unable to leave due to heightened security risks, destruction of bridges and roads, as well as lack of resources or information on where to find safety and accommodation.” The U.N calculates that as of the beginning of August 2022, 10 million Ukrainians have fled their country. The debate about Russian immigration offers the civilized world an opportunity to do something to curtail this trend. Not granting Russians visas to travel abroad is a timely and important way we can do something concrete to stop this carnage and senselessness.

Which Russians Are Travelling?

In discussing the issue, it should be noted that 80 percent of Russians support Putin according to recent polls. This suggests that most Russians are on the wrong side of history in their views and therefore do not merit special consideration regarding immigration. More to the point, however, is that less than a third of all Russians have an international passport and those who do are mostly from Moscow and St. Petersburg. That means that the average Russian who has little influence on government policy is not travelling abroad and therefore will hardly be affected by any ban.

It is the wealthy and the privileged elites, as well as their family members—those visiting Europe and travelling elsewhere, who will be affected. They are individuals who may have influence over the leadership in Russia, or who at least enjoy the benefits from their positions in that society. Some of these Russian elites actually willfully propagate Putin’s outrageous lies, propaganda, and disinformation abroad. Are they not the ones who should be held responsible for the actions of their government and of Putin in particular?

Visiting Europe Is A Privilege

As Bloomberg writes, “To date, Europe has restricted travel bans to high-ranking officials, but EU members on Russia’s borders are demanding more. The Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have already imposed tighter visa rules and voiced support for a bloc-wide ban. It’s wrong, says Finland’s prime minister, that Russia should wage a war of aggression while its citizens live a normal life in Europe. Visiting Europe says Estonia’s prime minister, “is a privilege, not a human right.”

Bloomberg’s Approach

Apart from doing more to block existing exit channels Russians use, including golden visas abroad, Bloomberg says, “Although individual European countries can reject Russian visa applications, as a rule, the European Union has better and fairer weapons at hand. It should focus on ending undue visa privileges for Russia’s oligarchs, offering humanitarian visas to help opponents of the regime, and encouraging a brain drain of students and scientists — which would do far more to erode Putin’s ability to sustain his brutal invasion and repression.”

But is this really the right approach? Should Russian elite families be able to live the high life in Western countries as privileged residents, tourists, and students while their country destroys Ukraine? Should not all Russians, except those who seek asylum in the West, or who can make a well-founded humanitarian case, or who are essential diplomats, be denied entry to Western countries until Russia stops inflicting a genocide in Ukraine?

Swiss Cheese Immigration Sanctions Won’t Work

Swiss cheese immigration sanctions will not make much of a difference to Russia. Those who count will find ways to get through the blockade. Only a full-scale blockade of all visas, subject to the narrow exceptions mentioned, will register with all Russians that their leaders must stop the genocide being implemented in Ukraine. Only then will Russia be able to return to normal relations with the civilized world. Such a blanket immigration policy will be easier to implement and will have far more impact than any other. Indeed, this should become the new policy for the West in dealing with all future countries that commit genocide. It is the least we can do.