Restrictions on Russian diplomats come into force in the EU: who will be affected
25 January 10:12
New restrictive measures against Russian diplomats, adopted as part of the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, have come into force in the European Union. According to the new rules, starting Sunday, January 25, Russian diplomats will be restricted in their freedom of movement within the Schengen area.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to DW.
Russian diplomats, consular staff, and their family members are now required to notify the EU member state in which they are not accredited of their intention to travel or transit through that country at least 24 hours in advance. In addition, individual EU member states may require Russian diplomats to obtain permission to enter their territory on the basis of visas or residence permits issued by another state.
Protection against possible espionage and the spread of disinformation
“The purpose of this obligation is to ensure that Member States are aware of the increasingly hostile intelligence activities supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” according to the EU Council’s statement following its meeting on October 23.
According to the EU, the free movement of diplomats within the Schengen area outside their country of accreditation allowed Russian diplomats to “engage in covert activities such as espionage and the dissemination of disinformation about Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine with the aim of distorting public opinion.”
