- Category
- Latest news
Czechia Bans Entry for Unaccredited Russian Diplomats Over Security Concerns
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Czechia has introduced new restrictions on Russian diplomats and holders of service passports, barring their entry into the country unless they have national accreditation from the Czech government.
The decision was announced by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský via X on September 29.
“According to my proposal, the government today banned entry into Czechia for Russian diplomats and holders of service passports who do not have national accreditation from the Czech Republic. The measure applies at international airports,” Lipavský stated.
He drew attention to the growing number of sabotage operations, stressing that “we will not risk agents under diplomatic cover.”
“We are setting an example for other countries and I will continue to strive for the most consistent measures at the level of the entire Schengen Area,” the minister added.
Meanwhile, European officials are considering additional steps to restrict Russia’s ability to operate across the EU. Among the measures under discussion is a potential ban on unrestricted travel for Russian diplomats within the Schengen zone.
Supporters of this proposal argue that the current system allows intelligence officers using diplomatic cover to move freely, making it difficult to monitor their activities or prevent them from planning hostile operations far from the country that issued their visa.
Earlier, Lithuania’s Parliament passed a legislative amendment strengthening national sanctions against citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus. The new provision grants authorities the power to revoke residence permits for Russian nationals who repeatedly travel to their country of origin.
