EU to Restrict Movement of Russian Diplomats

In the 19th sanctions package, EU member states aim to restrict not only the movement of Russian diplomats but also that of all employees of Russian diplomatic missions within the bloc. This was reported by the EUobserver portal, referencing a proposal from the European External Action Service (EEAS).

The restrictions may concern "consular staff, administrative and technical staff," as well as their family members. The EU diplomatic service seeks to require Russian diplomats to notify the EU of their movements within the bloc.

As noted by EUobserver, the proposal to limit the movement of Russian diplomats was discussed by EU ambassadors last Friday. According to a source from the portal, the "initial response was positive," and further discussions on the initiative are scheduled for the beginning of this week at the experts level in Brussels.

Earlier, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that retaliatory measures from Russia would inevitably follow if the EU, at the initiative of the Czech Republic, restricts the freedom of movement of Russian diplomats.