Foreign minister eases rules for Russian diplomats’ travel, media report

Foreign Minister Petr Macinka has decided to introduce less strict rules for the movement of Russian diplomats in the Schengen area, despite the previous cabinet recently pushing through tighter EU-wide measures as part of sanctions against Russia, Deník N and Seznam Zprávy reported on Wednesday.

Under the new arrangement, Russian diplomats accredited in another EU country are now required only to notify Czech authorities of their visits. Prior approval from the Foreign Ministry is no longer necessary.

The stricter regime promoted by the previous government aimed to limit intelligence activity conducted under diplomatic cover. Although Czechia expelled most Russian diplomats following the 2014 attack on an ammunition depot in Vrbětice by Russia’s GRU intelligence service, holders of Russian diplomatic passports were still able to enter the country via the Schengen area.

The Foreign Ministry had planned to tighten the rules under former minister Jan Lipavský, but the changes were not implemented at the time. The relevant EU measure only came into force after the new government had taken office.