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The European Union's home affairs commissioner warned Hungary on Thursday that its decision to ease visa restrictions for Russian and Belarusian citizens posed a potential security threat and that she would take action if her concerns were not addressed.
Last month Hungary expanded its "national card" immigration program to include Russians and Belarusians, among others. The holder of such a card is allowed to work in Hungary without undergoing security checks and can take his family with him.
The move sparked concern among EU officials, who said Russia and its ally Belarus could use the scheme to send saboteurs and spies into the European Union's Schengen free movement zone as the bloc tries to isolate Moscow for the war in Ukraine.
"Russia is a security threat. We don't need less, but more vigilance," EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said in a post on the X network Thursday evening.
"Today, through a letter, I have asked the Hungarian government to provide explanations. If their scheme for easing the rules poses a risk, we will act."
This incident reflects other tensions between European leaders and the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban regarding Russia's war in Ukraine.
Mr Orban has maintained close ties to Moscow and visited Russian President Vladimir Putin last month as part of what he described as a "peace mission", undertaken without EU support, days after taking over the bloc's presidency.
Ms Johansson did not specify what action she might take. But the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, can take legal action against a member state if it judges that EU law has been violated.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian citizens must obtain a visa to enter Hungary and therefore the Schengen area.
He said that the residence permits for Russian and Belarusian citizens will have to be authorized by the relevant authorities./ VOA
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