Today in Strasbourg, during the European Parliament’s plenary session, a debate was held on Hungary’s “national card” program and its implications for the Schengen Area and the area of freedom, security, and justice. PiS MEPs Maciej Wąsik and Daniel Obajtek spoke during the discussion.
“There is no doubt that we must strongly oppose any measures that facilitate the entry of citizens of the Russian Federation into the European Union,” stated Maciej Wąsik. He also noted that he does not support these measures either at the member state level or at the European Commission level. “We also do not agree that the European Commission should introduce any facilitations for Russians, and this is how the proposed provisions of the Visa Code—which eliminate the requirement for Russians applying for a Schengen visa to present military service records—should be viewed,” the MEP stated. He explained that military service records in Russia are extremely important documents, on the basis of which our authorities can determine whether a visa applicant has served in Putin’s army. He noted that no one wants the European Union to host murderers from Bucha or Irpin, or Wagner Group veterans responsible for massacres in Mali or Syria. “Don’t you see the monstrous contradiction in the fact that the European Parliament criticizes Hungary for its visa policy, while at the same time the European Commission is preparing visa facilitations for Russians, including murderers of civilians?” he stated. The PiS MEP emphasized that he was astonished by these measures—both those of Hungary and those of the European Commission—and called for their withdrawal. Maciej Wąsik also urged that Russians, Russia, and Putin not be treated leniently. He recalled that it was Putin’s Russia—unfortunately with the support of the majority of the Russian public—that unleashed a bloody war against Ukraine, the largest war in Europe since 1945.
The Polish politician pointed to Russia’s actions, noting that it is deliberately destabilizing the European Union’s external borders and waging a daily hybrid war against Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland. “Russia is sending tens of thousands of illegal migrants to Europe, carrying out daily cyberattacks against European countries, and committing numerous acts of sabotage,” said the ECR MEP. He emphasized that it is essential to tighten the European Union’s sanctions policy against Russia in every respect, including visa restrictions. “Putin’s Russia must be subjected to absolute isolation. Perhaps then the Russians will understand that they must put an end to Putin and his policy of great-power politics,” argued the MEP.
Maciej Wąsik pointed out that “there are many people in this chamber who enabled Putin to attack Ukraine.” He clarified that these are the ones who provided Putin with a steady financial lifeline and allowed him to pursue a policy of energy blackmail. “There are members of this chamber who pretended not to see that Putin’s Russia is building its aggressive great-power status with money from fossil fuels and who, against the interests of all of Europe, pushed for the construction of Nord Stream,” he noted. He added that he was addressing primarily the members of parliament from Germany and their political allies. “Sprinkle ashes on your heads. The blood of those dying and being murdered in Ukraine also weighs on your consciences,” he stated.
Daniel Obajtek pointed out that Europe faces a major problem today: it is not safe, and the number of rapes, the scale of drug-related crime, and the incidence of robberies are on the rise. He added that this had happened before as well, but to a much lesser extent.
“Poland and Hungary have often been criticized for not wanting immigrants, but it must be noted that both Warsaw and Budapest are safe today,” the MEP stated. The Polish politician also questioned whether it is only these work visas that are undermining Europe’s security. He added that Germany eagerly invites workers from Kenya, “even though they have closed their borders,” and the same applies to other countries.
