News Feed

EU to reportedly restrict Russian diplomats' travel amid espionage surge

2 min read
EU to reportedly restrict Russian diplomats' travel amid espionage surge
The flags of the European Union, its member states and Ukraine are flying in front of the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France on May 29, 2024. (Philipp von Ditfurth/picture alliance via Getty Images)

EU governments have agreed to limit the movement of Russian diplomats in response to espionage and sabotage linked to Moscow, the Financial Times reported on Oct. 7, citing unnamed EU sources.

The measure follows a surge in hybrid operations targeting Ukraine's partners in the EU and NATO, including arson, cyberattacks, infrastructure sabotage, and drone incursions.

European intelligence agencies have blamed Moscow-backed operatives, many of whom reportedly work under diplomatic cover, for coordinating these provocations.

Under the proposed rules, Russian diplomats posted in EU capitals will be required to notify other member states before crossing national borders.

The initiative, led by the Czech Republic, aims to curb the mobility of suspected spies operating beyond their assigned countries. Prague has been advocating for such measures since May 2023.

By June 2024, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania had joined the Czech appeal, submitting a joint letter to then-EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

The Czech government has already banned several Russian diplomats and restricted entry for those holding official passports without Czech accreditation, outgoing Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Sept. 30.

The Czech Republic has been a leading voice in countering Russian espionage after one of the most serious acts of sabotage on EU soil in 2014, when explosions at a Czech ammunition depot killed two people.

Investigators later tied the attack to agents of Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU).

Final legal approval for the new restrictions may be delayed due to Austria's attempt to attach a separate clause to the package. Vienna proposed lifting sanctions on assets linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska to offset losses suffered by Raiffeisen Bank, which paid fines in Russia.

Further negotiations are scheduled for Oct. 8.

The European Commission unveiled its previous sanctions package against Russia on Sept. 19, focusing on tightening measures against banks and reducing energy revenues used to fund the war in Ukraine.

Russia’s digital Iron Curtain descends as Kremlin chokes remaining internet freedoms
Three and a half years into its all-out war against Ukraine, the Kremlin is waging a parallel battle at home — this time against internet freedom. The Russian authorities are tightening their digital grip and rolling out sweeping new measures to keep people online in check. Russian authorities’ efforts to block calls via the Telegram and WhatsApp messengers have been going hand in hand with the creation of a Kremlin-controlled “national messenger” called Max, intended to replace foreign equiva
Article image
Avatar
Tim Zadorozhnyy

News Editor

Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations, focusing on European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa. After moving to Warsaw, he joined the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, starting as a news anchor and later advancing to the position of managing editor.

Read more
News Feed

"The Memorandum provides for the establishment of production by Ukrainian defense companies on the territory of Denmark, the creation of joint capacities, technology exchange, and the involvement of EU funding for the implementation of joint projects," Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

Show More