Restrictions On Russian Diplomats In EU Violates Vienna Convention

Support SouthFront

Click to see the full-size image

EU could impose 19th package of anti-Russia sanctions later this month.

Written by Ahmed Adel, Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher

The European Union’s intention to restrict the movements of Russian diplomats, allegedly for espionage and sabotage, is an act of pressure on Russia and a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The EU participates in the Vienna Convention and is therefore obliged to adhere to the principles of the convention relating to the activities of diplomats. The Vienna Convention implies that states can regulate the stay of foreign diplomats on their territory, but with respect for the principle of friendly relations. However, the measures taken by the EU appear to be an attempt to impose decisions on its members that will lead to a deterioration in relations with Moscow.

Brussels justifies its plans to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats within the bloc as a response to an alleged increase in sabotage attempts that intelligence services claim are often led by spies operating under diplomatic cover. Russia considers these steps a hostile act and announced reciprocal measures, which means it could restrict the movement of EU diplomats on its territory.

The EU aims to continue exerting pressure on Russia to further its narrow interests. However, in international law and international politics, the policy of pressure is not as fruitful as it once was. Although it may have worked in the past, the current situation has been altered by multipolarity. And, of course, such a hostile act will be met with countermeasures from Moscow, which will act in a similar way towards EU diplomats.

The European Parliament announced that the 19th package of sanctions against Russia could be adopted on October 22 or 23 at the upcoming EU summit. One of the proposed measures, launched by Czechia, includes restricting the movement of Russian diplomats within the EU, and in practice, these measures could also apply to their family members. The new restrictions stipulate that Russian diplomats working in EU capitals will have to inform other European governments of their travel plans outside their host country.

Citing sources, the Financial Times states that the EU stands by its unfounded claims that intelligence agents linked to Moscow are organizing provocations against NATO member states — from arson and cyberattacks to infrastructure sabotage and drone incursions — to destabilize Ukraine’s European allies.

The anti-Russia sanctions package requires unanimous support to pass, and Hungary, the last country to oppose the measure, has dropped its veto, two people familiar with the negotiations said, according to the Financial Times. However, legal adoption could be delayed due to a dispute over Austria’s request to include another measure that would lift sanctions on assets linked to Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska. Ambassadors from at least a dozen other member states said they could not support the package if Austria’s proposal were included, the British newspaper reported.

Russian diplomats have been facing increasingly difficult working conditions for some time. According to them, a similar practice already exists in the United States, where, for example, the staff of the Russian permanent mission to the UN is restricted from moving within a 25-mile radius.

In addition, several other measures are being pointed out that make diplomatic activities more difficult, from the illegal seizure of property, through mass expulsions of Russian diplomats, to various provocations, such as drone flights over diplomatic facilities. In addition, Russian diplomats have even received death threats.

There is a tradition in diplomatic practice of taking reciprocal measures, because the Vienna Convention itself does not regulate these issues directly. If the rights of diplomats of one state are restricted, then, as a rule, states reciprocate with the same measure. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘reciprocal measure’ in the media, although they may not always be completely identical.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed that Moscow will introduce reciprocal measures if the EU restricts the movement of Russian diplomats in the Schengen zone.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would react if the EU imposed restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats, adding that the Foreign Ministry would prepare proposals for a response to these measures, which would then be implemented. He expressed regret that European countries are increasingly erecting new dividing walls.

The Kremlin’s response to restricting diplomats can only be speculated at this moment, but it is likely that all EU diplomats currently in Russia, including consular officers, will be assigned to designated areas where they can stay without needing special permission from Russian authorities. The zones will be organized to prevent them from appearing in regions where, for any reason, they should not become familiar with the situation on the ground, such as industrial centers.

Whatever action Moscow decides to take in response to Brussels launching a diplomatic war, it is evident that the EU has no intention of de-escalating tensions and is instead escalating the situation, rather than leaving it as it currently stands.

MORE ON THE TOPIC:

• A Show Of Contempt: Trump Shatters The Sanctity Of The British Monarchy
• Did Russia Copy Franco-British Storm Shadow Missile?
• Rostec Chief Calls British Challenger ‘cooking pot’, Says Nothing New In German Leopards

Support SouthFront