Czech Bans Russian Diplomatic Entry, EU Considers Controls

The Czech Republic has announced a ban on entry for Russians holding diplomatic or service passports, exempting a small number of officially accredited diplomats and allowing case-by-case exceptions. Prague has long pushed for EU-level measures and earlier largely suspended new visas and residence permits for non-diplomatic Russian nationals after the invasion of Ukraine. Brussels’ European External Action Service has drafted a proposal, potentially part of the EU’s 19th sanctions package, to subject Russian diplomats, consular and technical staff and their families to strict Schengen travel controls, including 24-hour advance notifications and the right of member states to deny or require additional authorization for travel. The plan targets abuses of free movement allegedly used for espionage, recruitment and subversive activity and is expected to inflame diplomatic tensions with Moscow and could face resistance from EU members such as Hungary and Slovakia. These measures come amid concerns about Russian “hybrid warfare” in Northern Europe and the Baltic — including drone incidents, suspicious maritime activity and alleged sabotage of undersea infrastructure — which has pushed EU and NATO members to consider stronger, coordinated countermeasures.