EU states edge towards deal to curb Russian diplomat movements

EU diplomats said on Tuesday that the EU countries are working towards an agreement to limit the movement of Russian diplomatic personnel within the EU, but there has not yet been a formal agreement.

The diplomatic service of the EU proposed a measure that would require Russian diplomats in an EU state to notify another EU state if they wished to travel to it. The governments could then decide to bar them from entering.

Diplomats say the proposal has received broad support, but an agreement will only be possible when the ambassadors of the member states to the EU gather later this week.

"Things seem to be going well." It's still not done," said an EU diplomat, under condition of anonymity.

Last month, the EU's External Action Service added the proposed restrictions to a 19th set of sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine.

The countries are still negotiating on the overall package. This includes moving up an import ban for Russian liquefied gas imports. Austria has demanded that some Russian assets be unfrozen as compensation for the penalties its Raiffeisen bank faces in Russia. Reporting by Andrew Gray, Lili Bayer and Rhea Abraham in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Rhea Rosa Abraham, Bengaluru. Writing by Julia Payne. Editing by Clarence Fernandez.

(source: Reuters)