Kennan InstituteKonto zweryfikowane

The existing visa-regime unequally hurts the average young Russians that may want to go to Europe but the Schengen visa stops them. The visa prevents them from easily traveling abroad without months of planning. Young Muscovites cannot just get on a plane and fly to Portugal.

The liberalization of the visa-regime for young Russians will confirm that the EU is not the enemy of the Russian people and is open to young, open-minded, bilingual, and educated Russians. It's hard to believe that someone hates you if they open doors for you.

Opening Europe to the Russian youth will combat state propaganda about the EU and its member states. The Kremlin vilifies the European countries accusing them of lies and “dangerous liberal values,” which helps to legitimize its regime and spread mistrust toward Europe.

Combining visa-liberalization for young Russians with targeted sanctions against "adult Russians" dealing with the Kremlin would be an unpleasant ideological blow for Moscow. Thanks for reading this thread.

Wow, it's gone viral. A couple of things to clarify. Visa liberalization =/= work permits, permanent immigration. I am aPhD student in the EU and I can write a 2nd thread on how difficult it is to find a job when "requirements: eligible to work in Germany/France/etc" (I'm not)

Security: visa liberalization =/= free entry. Border agents can scan fingerprints, ask for a return ticket, accommodation reservation, bank statements, etc. And visas can't stop spies. Fake identities, forged passports, etc. Even the Iron Curtain couldn't stop them.

Reciprocity: I don't actually buy this argument because diplomatic rules are constructs, our current context matters more. BUT, Russia has actually made it easier: e-visas (https://evisa.kdmid.ru/ ). Soon - all regions. Look up the website and feel free to come when COVID is over.

Divide Russian society: come on, it's not a zero-sum game. The others won't lose anything but only win: they won't have to pay for their kids' visas. Caring parents would only support that. And it will motivate people to ask questions - why am I not eligible (anymore)?