EU to curb Russian diplomats' travel across Schengen zone

The Financial Times reports.

EU intelligence services say Russian spies posing as diplomats often manage assets or operations outside their host countries to better evade counterintelligence surveillance.

A senior EU diplomat, citing intelligence reports, said that such individuals are assigned to one location but work elsewhere. He noted that while the host country’s intelligence services know what they are doing, it becomes harder to track them once they cross the border.

Under the new rules, Russian representatives accredited in one of the European capitals will have to notify authorities in advance of any travel outside their host country.

The initiative is part of a new sanctions package being developed by Brussels in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to two sources, the approval became possible after Hungary — the last country blocking the decision — lifted its veto.

At the same time, the measures’ adoption could be delayed due to Austria’s stance. Vienna insists on including a clause in the package that lifts sanctions on assets linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, which, Austria claims, would compensate Raiffeisen Bank for losses incurred in Russia.

• Earlier reports indicated that the European Union is preparing to tighten visa rules for Russian citizens following years of pressure from countries on its eastern border.