Since 2022, when Estonia’s then-Prime Minister Kaja Kallas called for a halt on tourist visas for Russians, traveling to Europe for most Russians has become a near impossibility. The EU’s increasingly strict visa policy, spurred by the war in Ukraine, has gone beyond a mere inconvenience; it has become a significant barrier to travel, education, and cultural exchange. The consequences of this “not-a-human-right” approach, as Kallas described it, are now evident. While I, as a holder of a European residence permit, was able to freely travel through six countries and 25 cities this summer, I encountered countless travelers from all corners of the world but not a single fellow Russian. Many Europeans were surprised to see someone from Russia and questioned how I managed to travel freely, given the current political climate. Their shock was understandable—most Russians are now effectively barred from visiting Europe. Half of the EU countries no longer issue tourist visas to Russians, while those that do have significantly increased the barriers to entry. Visa fees have tripled, the application process has become far more complicated, and visa refusals have become the norm. Even with a valid visa, Schengen countries bordering Russia have completely closed their doors to Russian travelers. The suspension of direct flights between Russia and the EU since 2022 has also made travel prohibitively expensive, forcing travelers to detour through countries like Turkey or Serbia. The stringent visa policy has extended beyond tourism, impacting education and cultural exchange as well. Countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Baltic states, once popular destinations for Russian students, have ceased issuing student visas, cutting off educational opportunities for young Russians. European leaders argue that these measures are necessary to show solidarity with Ukraine and pressure Russia. They point to the war as justification for suspending visas for Russian citizens. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has even called for a complete ban on Russians entering Western countries, arguing that such isolation would force Russians to rethink their government and its policies. However, this strategy of isolation could have unintended and potentially dangerous consequences. Instead of spurring resistance to Putin’s regime, these restrictions risk entrenching authoritarianism in Russia. When people are confined within a nation led by a longstanding authoritarian government, rebellion becomes a distant possibility. Instead, many Russians are adapting to life under Putin, accepting his rule as the new normal. This shift is evident among my own friends who chose to stay in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. With European borders closed, they now travel to places like Turkey, China, and the Gulf states. They frequent “Russified” versions of Western brands, like Vkusno i tochka, the replacement for McDonald’s. Even intellectually, there has been a noticeable pivot. Conversations have shifted toward Eastern philosophies, and many now speak of a “Eurasian future,” embracing ideas promoted by the Kremlin as a counterweight to Western influence. In this new reality, the war with Ukraine has become routine. Events like drone attacks on the Kremlin or military incursions into Russian border regions no longer cause widespread alarm. Russians have learned to live without Europe, just as Zelensky had predicted. Yet, instead of challenging Putin’s government, they have adapted to life in isolation, creating a modern-day version of the former East Germany within their own country. The longer this isolation continues, the harder it will be to reintegrate Russia into the global community once the war ends. The aftermath could mirror the struggles East Germans faced following the fall of the Berlin Wall—feelings of irrelevance, backwardness, and a search for identity. In Russia, these sentiments could give rise to future conflicts, especially among younger generations increasingly detached from Europe and Western ideals. Young Russians, in particular, are bearing the brunt of this isolation. This generation grew up in the 2000s, during a period of cooperation between Russia and the West. They led major protests against Putin in 2017-2019 and again in 2021, pushing back against Russia’s authoritarian drift. These young people are the country’s best hope for a democratic future. Yet the EU’s restrictive policies are inadvertently pushing them further into Putin’s influence, by limiting their opportunities for education, travel, and connection with the outside world. Rather than completely shutting its doors, Europe should consider engaging with young Russians. A relaxation of visa restrictions for students and tourists could have a profound effect. Allowing Russian youth to visit Europe—even if only for short-term stays—would provide them with the opportunity to experience Western culture firsthand and to see the stark differences between life in Europe and Russia. This policy shift could yield several important outcomes. First, it would expose young Russians to higher standards of living, making it harder for the Kremlin to convince them that countries like Iran or North Korea are legitimate role models. Second, it would offer them a more nuanced view of democracy, one grounded in real-life experience rather than state propaganda. Finally, it would give young Europeans the chance to meet their Russian counterparts and challenge the negative stereotypes that have developed in recent years. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, recently spoke at a forum in Slovenia, where she criticized the EU for lacking a long-term strategy for Russia. She emphasized that Europe’s future is inherently tied to Russia’s, and that isolating the country will only prolong the crisis. By relaxing visa restrictions and engaging with Russian youth, Europe could take a small but significant step toward building a bridge with the next generation of Russians. Ultimately, Russia’s people cannot be ignored. As a nation with a large population and considerable influence, it will continue to play a role on the global stage, whether Europe likes it or not. Engaging with ordinary Russians—especially the younger generation—could help foster a more peaceful, cooperative future. Relaxing visa restrictions may seem like a small gesture, but it could pave the way for a more constructive relationship between Europe and post-war Russia.
