Eight EU nations urge a Schengen entry ban on former Russian soldiers over security risks.

Eight EU nations—Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Romania—have urged the EU to impose a Schengen entry ban on former Russian soldiers, citing security risks from combatants with criminal records who may pose threats through organized crime, extremism, or hybrid warfare. They cited rising visa approvals for Russian nationals and warned that free movement across the Schengen area could spread these risks. The leaders called for urgent, coordinated action, including potential changes to the Visa Code, and seek a unified EU response ahead of the March European Council meeting.