The Netherlands and seven other EU countries are lobbying together to restrict travel for Russian diplomats in the European Union. They want to restrict these diplomats’ free travel to the country in which they are accredited instead of allowing them free travel in the Schengen zone. This is due to suspicions that many Russian diplomats are actually secret agents involved in influencing operations, sabotage, and espionage, Trouw reports.
The Czech Republic started the lobby late last year and gained support from the Netherlands, Denmark, several Eastern European countries, and the Baltic States. In June, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky sent a letter to Josep Borrel, the EU’s foreign policy chief, on behalf of eight EU countries. “This measure will significantly reduce the operational space of Russian agents,” the Minister wrote.
In a recent interview with the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, he said that there is “specific information about so many cases of Russian sabotage.” According to the Czech Minister, “Russian diplomatic posts are being used for a hybrid war against Europe.”
After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, European countries expelled some 600 Russian diplomats. Around 400 of them were suspected of being intelligence officers. Using diplomats as spies is a pretty common practice, also for Western countries, given diplomats’ freedom of movement and diplomatic immunity.
The Netherlands supported the initiative, though the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is unhappy that the letter has leaked, a spokesperson told Trouw.
The EU is divided over the proposal. Germany, Austria, and Italy are against travel restrictions for Russian representatives. They argue that Moscow will respond with additional restrictions on their diplomats and citizens in Russia. They are also keen to keep diplomatic channels with Russia open.
