Russian diplomats and embassy employees who are located on the territory of the European Union may have their free movement within the Schengen zone restricted, Politico reports, citing relevant sources in European foreign affairs agencies. The ban could be included in the 13th EU sanctions package, which is accepted by countries as a “symbolic gesture.”
The publication noted that the Czech Republic is the initiator of the sanctions. But the movements of diplomats can only be limited in the country of accreditation. However, this will be very difficult to do due to various difficulties with controlling border crossings within the eurozone, Politico sources believe. In fact, no one monitors entry and exit from countries within the EU, so any movements of diplomats are not so easy to record, journalists note.
Politico believes that the sanctions package scheduled for February 24 will not cause sensations, since more serious measures require a comprehensive discussion and long elaboration. Now Brussels does not have such conditions, so it has to act quite quickly and precisely.
Among other things, the EU plans to limit imports of Russian aluminum products in order to promote growth in production in the Schengen area. However, European countries may not have time to add these restrictions to the 13th package, since there are only three weeks left until February 24.
Let us remind you that the European Union approved the last package of sanctions in December last year. Then Russian diamonds were banned, and various restrictions were imposed on 140 Russian citizens and IT companies due to their connection with the country’s defense complex.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
