Poland calls on the EU to tighten restrictions on Russian diplomats and citizens

Poland has called on the European Union to significantly tighten visa restrictions for Russian citizens and reduce the presence of Russian diplomats in EU countries. Warsaw claims that a significant part of Russian diplomats may perform tasks not related to diplomatic activities.

This was stated by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski during a meeting with colleagues from France and Germany in Weimar.

Poland announced over 2,000 Russian diplomats in the EU

According to Polish estimates, there are currently over 2,000 Russian diplomats in the European Union.

Sikorski claims that at least 40% of them may perform tasks that do not correspond to their diplomatic status.

The Polish minister linked the need for increased control to the increase in the number of hybrid attacks and sabotage in Europe.

What restrictions does Poland propose

Warsaw proposes that the European Union introduce several additional measures at once. Among them:

restrictions on the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian citizens;
introduction of biometric passes for Russians;
reduction of the number of Russian diplomatic missions;
banning Russian diplomats from freely moving around the EU countries and leaving the state in which they are accredited.

According to Sikorsky, such measures are necessary to strengthen the security of European states.

How France and Germany are reacting

France has declared its readiness to consider Poland’s initiative. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot noted that Paris may support additional measures if the situation requires it.

At the same time, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful did not give a direct answer regarding the Kremlin’s possible involvement in sabotage in Germany, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation of such threats.