Hours after Brussels hinted at new Schengen restrictions, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on 6 November that Moscow “cannot rule out” further curbs on the movement of Russian citizens inside the Schengen area. Peskov’s remarks, carried by several CIS news agencies, framed the anticipated EU decision as another unfriendly act and warned that Russia may respond in kind, without specifying how.
Finnish analysts note that Russia has few symmetrical levers: bilateral tourism has already collapsed, and the land border remains closed at Helsinki’s initiative. Still, Russian counter-measures—such as tightening exit-permits or imposing new consular fees—could complicate humanitarian travel and the limited business shuttles that continue via Istanbul, Belgrade and Dubai.
![Kremlin Signals Possible Retaliation as EU Eyes Visa Clampdown]()
For Finnish companies with Russian subsidiaries or legacy staff, the rhetoric deepens uncertainty. Mobility leaders are advised to keep contingency plans for remote work or third-country meetings and to track any Russian domestic-exit regulations that might strand employees.
EU diplomats privately say that Moscow’s reaction will not deter the bloc from moving forward; indeed, heightened political pressure may accelerate consensus among member states, several of which—including Finland’s Baltic neighbours—have long pushed for tougher measures.
Finnish analysts note that Russia has few symmetrical levers: bilateral tourism has already collapsed, and the land border remains closed at Helsinki’s initiative. Still, Russian counter-measures—such as tightening exit-permits or imposing new consular fees—could complicate humanitarian travel and the limited business shuttles that continue via Istanbul, Belgrade and Dubai.
For Finnish companies with Russian subsidiaries or legacy staff, the rhetoric deepens uncertainty. Mobility leaders are advised to keep contingency plans for remote work or third-country meetings and to track any Russian domestic-exit regulations that might strand employees.
EU diplomats privately say that Moscow’s reaction will not deter the bloc from moving forward; indeed, heightened political pressure may accelerate consensus among member states, several of which—including Finland’s Baltic neighbours—have long pushed for tougher measures.
