All articles tagged with #schengen
Estonian foreign minister Margus Tsahkna warns that, after any Ukraine ceasefire, Russia could deploy hundreds of thousands of former soldiers and even ex-prisoners to wage hybrid warfare in Europe, urging an EU-wide ban on former Russian combatants from Schengen and inviting the UK to join the plan to bolster European security.
Estonia's foreign minister Margus Tsahkna warned that Putin could deploy hundreds of thousands of ex‑soldiers (and other convicts) to wage hybrid warfare in Europe following any Ukraine ceasefire, urging an EU‑wide ban on former Russian combatants from Schengen and inviting UK participation to bolster border security.
The article discusses concerns about Russian drones invading Polish airspace, the resulting border checks, and the broader implications for the Schengen zone and regional security.
Political tensions over migration have led Poland and Germany to impose border checks, further weakening the Schengen area's free travel zone amid rising right-wing populism and migration pressures, threatening the long-term viability of open borders in Europe.
Romania and Bulgaria have been approved to join the Schengen area, with the decision taking effect on January 1, 2025. This move, decided by European interior ministers in Brussels, will eliminate borders between these countries and the rest of the Schengen zone. Despite meeting the requirements since 2010, their accession was delayed due to migration concerns, particularly from Austria, which recently agreed not to veto the decision after Bulgaria committed to increasing border security with Turkey.
Hungary's Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, has stated that Hungary will veto Bulgaria's bid to join the Schengen area unless Bulgaria removes a transit levy on Russian gas. Hungary accuses Bulgaria of carrying out a hostile action by imposing an additional tax on Russian gas transiting its territory. Hungary relies on Russian gas supplied through Bulgaria, and if Bulgaria jeopardizes Hungary's energy supply, Hungary will veto their Schengen entry. The European Commission has considered Bulgaria ready to join Schengen since 2011, but previous vetoes have blocked its accession.