The Netherlands And Austria Have Restricted The Movement Of Russian Diplomats

• 26.01.2026, 20:18

Russian diplomats will be obliged to inform the leadership of host countries about their trips in advance.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry has notified the Russian embassy that the country is imposing travel restrictions on diplomats from Russia. The Austrian Foreign Ministry has introduced a notification procedure for entry for non-accredited diplomatic staff from Russia. This was reported by RIA Novosti with reference to the diplomatic missions in The Hague and Vienna.

"Last week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom officially informed the Russian Embassy in the Netherlands about the introduction of this order of movement," the Dutch embassy said.

The embassy in Vienna said it had received a note from Austrian authorities, which stipulates a "notification procedure for entry and transit of Russian diplomatic, administrative and technical or service personnel" who are not accredited in Austria. No other restrictions were reported.

The EU's 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions stipulates that the movements of diplomats from Russia within the European Union will be limited to the territory of the country of accreditation. Russian diplomats will be obliged to inform the leadership of the host countries about their travels in advance. The EU explained the new restrictions by the need to raise awareness of foreign civil servants "against the backdrop of growing hostile intelligence activities." The restrictions were to come into force on January 25.