European Union countries have agreed to restrict the free movement of Russian diplomats within the union as part of the 19th sanctions package, two informed sources told the Financial Times. This decision was made in response to a surge in sabotage attempts, which, according to European intelligence, are often carried out by spies operating under diplomatic cover. Hungary, which opposed this proposal, lifted its veto.
According to the initiative initially proposed by the Czech Republic, Russian diplomats working in EU capitals will be required to inform the governments of other countries about their travel plans before crossing borders.
A senior EU diplomat explained to the publication that spies are often in one place but work in another. “The intelligence services of the host country know what they are up to, but if they cross the border, it may be more difficult for that country to track them,” the diplomat explained, referring to intelligence data.