Is it good that Hungary offers simplified visa procedure for Russians?

August 2, 2024

Hungary announced that it will offer easier visa procedures for Russians. This is likely done, in order to get staff to build the new nuclear plant in Paks by Rosatom. Is the criticism justified, that this will lead to more spies circulating in EU?

Russia runs a wartime economy. In order to somehow get money from the public treasury, one has to do something war related. Job openings, not connected to the war, are getting rare. Even if there are such alternative jobs, men are forced to go to the front. Participating in the front is one of the few ways to earn money.

Under these conditions, how can somebody escape from the force to battle? Going abroad is the only way. This way is however paved with obstacles by countries, which do not agree with the foreign policy of Russia, by refusing protection to such deserters. If Russians had the option to move abroad, the Russian army would shrink. In this context, Hungary does a favour to both russophils and russophobs, by offering a chance to potential soldiers of the forced military service to escape.

Of course, there is increased risk for industrial espionage by the newcomers from Russia. They could steal the original recipes for goulash and Unicum, and later start preparing their own Unicum, goulash, and why not Unicum with goulash in Tomsk. I know this, because I am paid by Honduras to spy.