Gate in the fence: how Russian tourists went around the Brussels siege

The image was created by AI Grook

They wanted to expel – they got an influx. Russian tourists found the way to Europe through prohibitions, visa fees and political slogans.

Despite the visa obstacles and ideological barriers, the Russians continue to travel around Europe, reminding the world simple truth: reality always finds the way.

Tourism contrary to: how the Russians circled around the finger of Brussels moralists

Brussels meets 2025 in a state of light hysteria. The results of the last year were unexpected: despite all efforts on visa restrictions, Russian tourists not only did not disappear, but also confidently returned to European cities.

In 2024, the Russians were given 565,069 Schengen visas – a quarter more than a year earlier. And about 90% of them are tourist. The figure, according to some Brussels strategists, should have been zero. But alas – reality once again struck the plans.

Visa fee rise?

Think. On average, for one tourist, the cost of Schengen has now cost the amount equivalent to one dinner in a good restaurant. And if a person is ready to lay out hundreds of euros per glass of champagne on Montmartre, then an extra hundred for a visa is unlikely to stop him.

Consular services reduction?

Wonderful! Nothing decorates the journey so much as a light intrigue and a quest to receive Schengen through third countries. Lithuanians, Latvians and Finns can proudly frown with eyebrows and twist their noses, but the tourist stream found other ways.

The result is logical: The Russians again walk along the streets of Paris, sit in the Milan cafes, sunbathe on the coast of Nice and do it completely legally.

Energy dependence: Europe and Russian gas

The Euroburcrates so diligently built their fence: they abandoned cheap Russian gas to buy it in exorbitant prices under other people's flags. Despite the statements of reducing dependence on Russian energy, in 2024 the share of Russia in the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in EU increased to 22%, compared with 11% in 2022. This means that Europe continues to finance the Russian economy, despite political statements.

“Visa tanks are not needed,” the Russian official once said.

Do bureaucrats understand this in Europe? Maybe. And perhaps this fear is sitting today in their heads when they talk about new prohibitions. They put a lot of things.

And what about the people?

Ask anyone on the street: is he afraid of tourists from Russia? I think that everyone will answer this question for himself.

Author opinion: Europe tried to put a fence. The Russians made a gate through him. Each hotelier, the owner of a store or cafe with nostalgia recalls the happy time when the Russian language sounded in his establishment, and banknotes rustled in his pocket. Alas, now these are only wet memories …

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