EU Ministers Call for Restriction on Movement of Russian Diplomats Within Schengen Zone

Eight foreign ministers of European Union countries have urged the EU to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area and confine them to the countries where they are accredited. Reuters reports citing a letter from the ministers to the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

The signatories of the letter include the foreign ministers of the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania.

According to the letter dated June 11, the free movement of holders of Russian diplomatic and service passports accredited in one host state across the Schengen Zone facilitates malicious activities. The ministers stated that intelligence gathering, propaganda, or even sabotage preparations constitute the primary operational tasks for many Russian “diplomats” in the EU. While acknowledging the significance of expulsion measures, they highlighted the persistent threat.

The ministers emphasized the principle of reciprocity and proposed restricting the movement of Russian diplomatic mission members and their families solely to the territory of their accreditation. They believe that this measure will significantly narrow the operational space for Russian agents.

It’s worth noting that at the end of May, the Polish Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, announced restrictions on the movement of Russian embassy staff in Poland. He explained that Russian “diplomats” would be allowed to move only within Mazovia (an eastern territory of Poland), while consuls would be restricted to the voivodeships where they hold office. Exceptions will be made for the head of the embassy, added the Polish Foreign Minister.