European Council decides not to accept Russian documents issued in occupied territories of Georgia, Ukraine

10:40, 09.12.2022

European Council on December 8 adopted a decision on the non-acceptance of Russian travel documents issued in the occupied territories of Ukraine and Georgia.

“This decision is a response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s practice of issuing Russian international passports to residents of the occupied regions. It also follows Russia’s unilateral decision to recognise the independence of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008.

Russian travel documents issued in, or to persons resident in, Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine or breakaway territories in Georgia will not be accepted as valid travel documents for obtaining a visa or crossing the borders of the Schengen area.

Russian travel documents issued in these regions are already not recognised, or in the process of not being recognised, by EU member states. This decision aims to set out a common approach, ensure the proper functioning of the external border and common visa policies and safeguard the security of EU member states,” reads the document.

By - Elene Dobordjginidze

Politics

European Council

occupied territories