Czechia proposing possible restrictions on movement within Schengen for Russian diplomats

The European Union is discussing a Czech proposal for possible restrictions on movement within the Schengen space for Russian diplomats. The Czech Republic has proposed that Russian diplomats be issued visas and residence permits that only allow travel within their host country and not the rest of the Schengen area on the argument that Russian agents work undercover as diplomats and evade monitoring thanks to the EU’s borderless zone. Prague also proposed only accepting biometric passports, which are more difficult to forge.

Czech Foreign Ministry spokesman Daniel Drake said the ministry would not disclose further details since talks on the proposal are still underway.

According to the Financial Times, Prague last week circulated a paper with the proposal as part of negotiations on the EU’s 12th package of sanctions against Moscow, which member states still need to approve.