EU preparing restrictions on movement of Russian diplomats across Europe
Russian diplomats may face strict controls on travel in European capitals as a preventive measure against Russia's subversive activities.
Source: a two-page EU foreign service proposal seen by EUobserver, a media outlet covering European affairs, as reported by European Pravda
Details: According to the proposal, if a Russian diplomat based in Brussels wants to travel via Luxembourg to The Hague, he or she will first have to notify the Luxembourg and Dutch authorities "at least 24 hours" before crossing their borders.
They will also have to specify "the make, type and licence plate number" of their car, as well as the intended border crossing points and dates of entry and departure.
If a Russian diplomat wants to travel by plane, train or bus, they will have to provide "the name of the carrier and the route code or equivalent".
Any EU country "willing to do so" will be able to "prohibit or impose an authorisation requirement on the travel or transit through its territory" for the Russian applicant.
The proposed rules do not compel anyone enforcing the ban to explain their reasons.
EU ambassadors in Brussels discussed the draft new rules on Friday 26 September.
"The initial reception was positive … now we'll see how capitals react. Experts [in the EU Council in Brussels] will discuss early next week," an EU diplomat said on 28 September.
Another EU diplomat said: "Some claim that Moscow may then restrict the movement of Western diplomats in Russia".
But he added: "This would be an escalation, because it's only logical that diplomats have freedom of movement in the country where they're accredited – not everywhere. Plus, Russia already restricts movement anyway".
The restrictions for diplomats are to be part of the 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions, which also target Moscow's gas, oil and financial sectors.
They would apply not only to diplomats, but also to Russian "consular personnel … members of the administrative and technical staff or of the service staff of diplomatic missions or consular posts … [and] their family members," the EU proposal states.
Currently, a Russian diplomat posted to any of the 25 EU member states in the Schengen free travel zone, as well as to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, which are members of Schengen, can move freely between them.
But Russia is abusing its Schengen privileges, the EU proposal says.
Moscow's diplomats, technical staff and their relatives are "often involved in activities that contribute to Russia's aggression against Ukraine". Russian diplomats have been travelling across the EU "spreading the Russian rhetoric on the causes of the war," the document adds.
They have been "involved in coordinated information manipulation and interference or other acts targeted at manipulating public opinion" in Europe.
The draft rules aim "to curb such practices," the EU proposal states.
Background:
- Czechia has been proposing since summer 2023 to include restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats in the Schengen Area in EU sanctions packages, but the idea has not gained significant support.
- Germany is the main opponent of the Czech proposal to limit the movement of so-called Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area to undermine their ability to support Kremlin intelligence operations.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!