(Prague) The foreign ministers of eight EU countries sent a letter to the head of European diplomacy asking him to limit the travel of Russian diplomats in the Schengen area, according to a copy of the text obtained by AFP THURSDAY.
The free movement of holders of Russian diplomatic passports in the Schengen area without a visa makes it easier for them to “malicious activities”, while Moscow redoubles its efforts to sow discord within the EU, said the eight ministers.
“We believe that the EU should limit the travel of members of Russian diplomatic missions and their family members only to the territory of the state where they are accredited,” they said.
The letter, dated June 11, was signed by the Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and Romanian ministers.
The proposed measure will “significantly reduce the operational space of Russian agents,” the signatories said.
EU countries have already significantly reduced the number of Russian diplomats on their territory since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
The ministers said that “intelligence, propaganda or even the preparation of acts of sabotage constitute the main workload of a large number of Russian ‘diplomats’ in the EU.”
The Czech Republic and Poland recently arrested people suspected of arson, saying their crimes were incited by Russia.
“Russia has been carrying out large-scale operations in Europe for years, which have caused numerous casualties and significant material damage,” the letter reads.
The ministers ask Josep Borrell to “urgently present a proposal for a concrete text of restrictive measures”.
PHOTO SARAH MEYSSONNIER, REUTERS
Josep Borrell
To allay concerns about possible retaliation from Moscow, the ministers say it would have “a much lower cost than the potential damage that Russian diplomatic agents can cause across Europe.”