Poland and the Czech Republic are calling for a European Union-wide ban on unrestricted travel for Russian diplomats within the Schengen area. Their proposal stems from concerns that

Russian consulates in Europe may be used as a front for intelligence and sabotage activities.

Poland has already implemented national restrictions. Since June of last year, Russian diplomats in Poland are required to stay within their designated consular regions unless they notify the foreign ministry in advance. These diplomats—currently 21 across the embassy in Warsaw and consulates in Gdańsk and Kraków—must seek approval for any travel outside these zones. While the Polish foreign ministry has confirmed that no travel requests have been denied so far, they have not disclosed any travel details.

According to Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, the proposed Schengen-wide measure would enhance surveillance of Russian diplomatic movements and reduce the risk of covert operations, such as sabotage or acts of terrorism, being carried out under the guise of diplomacy. Photo by Ency, Wikimedia commons.