PRAGUE: Eight European Union countries have urged the EU to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats around the bloc, and confine them to the countries where they are accredited.
In a letter to the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, the eight foreign ministers of the bloc argued that allowing Russian diplomats to move freely across the Schengen area facilitates harmful activities.
“Free movement of holders of Russian diplomatic and service passports, accredited in one host state, across the whole Schengen area is easing malign activities,” stated the letter, dated June 11.
The ministers highlighted that many Russian diplomats in the EU are primarily engaged in intelligence, propaganda, and potentially even preparing acts of sabotage. While expulsions are important, they said the threat persists.
“We believe the EU should strictly follow the reciprocity principle and restrict the movement of members of Russian diplomatic missions and their family members to the territory of the state of their accreditation only,” the ministers wrote.
“This measure will significantly narrow operational space for Russian agents,” they added. The letter was signed by the foreign ministers of the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania.
