Czechia bars entry to Russian diplomats without national accreditation from Prague

The Czech government has banned Russian diplomats and holders of service passports without Czech national accreditation from entering the country.

Jan Lipavský, Czechia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said he was the one who initiated the decision.

"Today the government has banned entry to Czechia for Russian diplomats and holders of service passports who do not have national accreditation from Prague. This measure is to be applied at international airports," he said.

The Czech foreign minister stressed that there have been more sabotage operations and Czechia "will not take any risk of agents operating under diplomatic cover".

"We are setting an example for other countries, and I will continue to push for the strictest measures across the Schengen [Area]. We will protect Czechia," he added.

The EU is preparing restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats across Europe.

Czechia has been proposing to include restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats within countries in the Schengen Area in EU sanctions packages since summer 2023, but the idea has not gained significant support.

The media reported that Germany is the main opponent of a Czech proposal to limit the movement of so-called Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area, fearing Russia may impose reciprocal sanctions.