Poland to limit Russian diplomats from moving within the country

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (Getty Images)

Poland will limit employees of Russian diplomatic missions from moving within the country, according to Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

"I have just announced Poland's decision in connection with Russia participating in a hybrid war against the European Union and Poland. Restrictions will be imposed on the movement of Russian diplomats in our country," Sikorski said.

According to him, the restrictions will apply to the Russian embassy and consular staff in Poland.

"Russian diplomats will be allowed to move only within Mazovia (the territory in eastern Poland - ed.), and consuls - only in the voivodeships where they are in office. An exception will be the head of the embassy. Other countries already have such rules, and we hope that others will follow our example," the minister said.

Sikorski did not specify the reasons for this step but stressed that Poland had evidence of Moscow's involvement in authorizing the sabotage.

"We hope that the Russian Federation will take this as a very serious warning signal," he added.

Earlier, Czechia proposed that EU member states restrict the travel of Russian diplomats. For example, to issue visas and residence permits to allow traveling only within the host country, but not the rest of the Schengen area.