Czech Republic Imposes Entry Ban on Russian Diplomats

The Czech Republic has announced a significant restriction on the entry of Russian citizens holding diplomatic passports and business visas. According to the country's Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavský, only accredited staff of the Russian embassy in Prague will be permitted to enter through international airports going forward. This makes the Czech Republic the first nation within the European Union to implement such a measure, as confirmed by Ministry spokesperson Daniel Drake in a statement to AFP.

This decision comes in light of broader EU initiatives aimed at limiting the travel freedom of Russian diplomats within the Schengen Zone. Minister Lipavský emphasized that while it is not ideal for the Czech Republic to act unilaterally, this move is necessary to address specific security concerns faced by the nation.

Drake indicated that the Czech Republic's actions could serve as a model for other EU member states, complementing the anticipated measures at the EU level. He noted that Russia's diplomatic network could potentially mask operations of agents that pose security threats within the country.

The apprehension regarding Russian intelligence activities has been a longstanding issue for the Czech Republic, an EU and NATO member. In 2024, the Czech Republic's domestic intelligence agency, BIS, issued warnings about attempts by Russia to establish a more extensive espionage network under the guise of diplomatic activities in Prague.

Historically, relations between the Czech Republic and Russia have been fraught with tension. A notable incident occurred in 2014 when a munitions depot in the eastern Czech town of Vrbetice exploded, resulting in two fatalities. In 2021, the Czech intelligence services accused Russia of being behind this explosion, leading to mutual expulsions of diplomats between the two nations.

Since the onset of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, the Czech Republic has positioned itself as a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing refuge for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.