Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have launched a formal appeal to the European Union, seeking a coordinated ban on entry for Russian soldiers and veterans of the invasion of Ukraine to bolster regional security.
Formal Appeal to EU
Donald Tusk and Friedrich Merz signed a letter to EU leadership requesting a bloc-wide entry ban for Russian military personnel.
Security and Moral Grounds
Chancellor Merz argues that allowing Russian veterans to travel freely within the Schengen Area poses a security risk and undermines the EU's stance against aggression.
Broad Target Scope
The proposed restrictions target active-duty soldiers, war veterans, and fighters from paramilitary groups associated with the Russian military.
Regional Support
The initiative has gained momentum with official support from other member states, including Romania.
European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are pushing for an EU-wide entry ban targeting Russian soldiers and veterans who participated in the war in Ukraine. Tusk signed a letter addressed to EU authorities formally appealing for the measure, according to Gazeta.pl. Merz, who has served as German Chancellor since May 6, 2025, is among the key proponents calling for the restriction to be implemented across all member states. Romania has also signaled support for the initiative, according to Mediafax.ro.
The appeal is directed at EU institutions and calls for visa restrictions and entry prohibitions for those who took part in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The initiative reflects a broader effort among European governments to impose tangible consequences on individuals directly involved in the conflict. According to Deutsche Welle, the appeal specifically targets Russian fighters rather than the Russian population at large. Romania's backing broadens the coalition of states supporting the measure beyond the initiating governments. The letter signed by Tusk represents a formal diplomatic step, elevating the push from political statements to an official appeal to EU authorities.
The European Union has previously used coordinated entry bans and asset freezes as tools of collective pressure, including the mass expulsion of Russian diplomats by 17 EU countries following the 2018 Salisbury poisoning case, as reported by Deutsche Welle. Discussions over peace plans and security guarantees for Ukraine have intensified in early 2026, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas signaling a tougher EU line on Russia in potential peace negotiations, according to DW reporting from February 2026. European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine as Russia's invasion entered its fifth year in February 2026.
The initiative comes as European governments continue to debate the terms of any future settlement and the mechanisms for holding participants in the conflict accountable. The proposal for an entry ban focuses on individual accountability rather than broad sanctions, targeting those with direct military involvement. According to newsORF.at and watson.ch, voices across multiple European states have backed the concept of an EU-wide travel restriction for Russian Ukraine fighters. The formal letter signed by Tusk marks a concrete step toward translating political consensus into a binding EU-level measure. No confirmed information is available on a specific timeline for a formal EU decision on the proposal.