Germany and France opposed the ban on issuing visas to Russians

On the eve of the meeting in Prague, the ministers of foreign affairs and defense of the EU countries received letters urging them not to impose a complete ban on entry for Russians.

"We need to strategically fight for the "hearts and minds" of the Russian population — at least the segments not yet completely estranged from 'the West'," wrote the representatives of Germany and France in a joint position paper.