European Union countries have agreed to impose restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats within the union. This information was reported by the Financial Times, citing informed sources.
According to the new rules, staff of Russian diplomatic missions accredited in EU member states' capitals will be required to notify authorities of planned trips before crossing the border of their host country.
This proposal was put forward by the Czech Republic. According to the authors' plan, this measure will be part of the next package of restrictive measures against Russia. Unanimous approval from all EU countries is required for the initiative to be adopted. According to FT sources, Hungary, which initially blocked this proposal, ultimately lifted its veto.
The introduction of restrictions comes in response to increasing cases of sabotage activities on EU territory, which, according to European intelligence services, are often organized by intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover.
Meanwhile, the approval of the new sanctions package may face delays, as Austria insists on including a provision to unblock assets of the construction company Strabag, previously owned by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska. Funds amounting to approximately two billion euros are intended to compensate Raiffeisen Bank International for a levy paid by the bank under a Russian court decision.
According to FT, ambassadors from at least twelve EU states have stated they cannot support the new sanctions package if the Austrian proposal is included.