The EU thread

[The Brain]

Just put real EU sanctions on Russia already, which would solve this. But no, some EU countries love Russian gas and tourists.

[Sheilbh]

And the diamond trade.

[HVC]

And the diamond trade.

De beers would crush you in their mighty diamond coated fist

[Sheilbh]

But seriously Belgium trying to exclude diamonds from EU sanctions on Russia is mad (and very funny). They failed but still.

And de Wever's called for repairing relations with Russia, need for Russian gas. I think there's a lot of (deserved) focus on the usual suspects and Belgium's role which is just profoundly cynical gets a little overlooked.

[Duque de Bragança]

Just put real EU sanctions on Russia already, which would solve this. But no, some EU countries love Russian gas and tourists.

I thought the long term contracts for gas ended in 2027.

[Norgy]

EU countries love Russian tourists.

Not as much as Natasha will love you sending 60 Euros for more cam, but still.

The Russian tourists do not go to EU countries in general, do they? Do they just defy border patrols and get a Schengen carte blanche? I have no idea, but with border controls being rather strict these days, it's hard to see Russians get through.
I mean, seriously, if you can't spot Slavic cheekbones, get another job.

[Sheilbh]

Not sure if tourists but Cyprus is one of the countries, like Georgia and Turkey that is playing host to a lot of Russians (and Belarussians) who left after the war - and there were many there to begin with.

Although this isn't that - I always wondered if there was any worth in Europe actively encouraging a brain-drains/young person drain in Russia.

[Zoupa]

There's very little brain to drain.

[crazy canuck]

The smart ones left long ago

[Crazy_Ivan80]

But seriously Belgium trying to exclude diamonds from EU sanctions on Russia is mad (and very funny). They failed but still.

And de Wever's called for repairing relations with Russia, need for Russian gas. I think there's a lot of (deserved) focus on the usual suspects and Belgium's role which is just profoundly cynical gets a little overlooked.

He's not wrong of course, given the location of mordor. But it would be nice if sauron was defeated first

Diamonds are a biggy though for Belgium. Really big.

[celedhring]

The university I do work for has recruited a few Russian scholars since the war began - Ukrainians too.

[The Brain]

EU countries love Russian tourists.

Not as much as Natasha will love you sending 60 Euros for more cam, but still.

The Russian tourists do not go to EU countries in general, do they? Do they just defy border patrols and get a Schengen carte blanche? I have no idea, but with border controls being rather strict these days, it's hard to see Russians get through.
I mean, seriously, if you can't spot Slavic cheekbones, get another job.

From June 5: https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/sweden-calling-on-eu-countries-to-ban-russian-tourists

Sweden calling on EU countries to ban Russian tourists

Several EU countries, including Sweden, are protesting that hundreds of thousands of Russian tourists are allowed to travel to Europe every year, and yesterday the issue was discussed at an EU ministerial meeting.

"We want to put a stop to Russian tourists coming to Europe for beach parties and shopping weekends while Ukrainians are dying on the battlefield," says Sweden's Migration Minister Johan Forssell, who has taken the initiative for the protest.

Sweden and several other countries currently issue very few, or almost no, visas to Russian citizens. At the same time, several Southern European countries, including France, Italy and Spain, grant significantly more visas.