Espionage: EU reporting requirement for Russian diplomats in force

Brussels (dpa) – To protect against espionage and disinformation, a reporting requirement for Russian diplomats and consular officials as well as for their staff and family members has been in force in the EU since Sunday. From now on, they must register their travel between member states at least 24 hours in advance in the destination and transit countries. The latter can also introduce a requirement for entry or transit permits in order to be able to prohibit travel in cases of doubt.

The restriction on freedom of movement is justified by stating that the persons concerned are in some cases being used to carry out intelligence operations to defend Russian aggression against Ukraine. Such measures primarily include involvement in covert activities such as espionage and the dissemination of disinformation about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in order to distort public opinion.

The measure was adopted in October as part of a new package of sanctions against Russia and published in the EU’s Official Journal. Until now, Russian diplomats and other personnel were generally able to travel freely outside the territory of the receiving state and through the territory of the Union. Eastern EU states in particular have been criticizing this for years. Other member states, on the other hand, had expressed concern that Russia could in return also restrict the freedom of movement of European diplomats in Russia.

According to EU officials, violations of the requirements could be punished by withdrawing diplomatic accreditation. (January 25)