On January 28, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka canceled measures to tighten travel rules for Russian diplomats that had been prepared by the previous government.
The former Czech administration had promoted a project across the European Union requiring Russian diplomatic personnel to obtain permission and undergo security checks from each Schengen country before traveling within the bloc. Under this policy, Russian representatives were mandated to secure approval from every participating nation beginning January 25.
However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reversed the measure at the last minute. According to available information, Russian diplomats accredited in other EU countries now only need to send an email request to Czech authorities the day prior to their intended entry date.
Separately, a statement by the Czech government denied claims made by the Ukrainian president regarding promises of aircraft deliveries to Kyiv.
On January 26, the Netherlands informed the Russian Embassy that new restrictions on diplomatic movement within the EU had been implemented. The Russian diplomatic mission in The Hague characterized these actions as part of a deliberate European strategy to exert pressure and selectively apply legal norms.
