Russia Threatens Retaliation Over New EU Travel Bans on Diplomats

Russia has vowed to respond to new European Union restrictions on the movement of its diplomats. The measures, announced by the EU, limit where Russian embassy and consulate staff can travel within member states. In a statement, the Russian ambassador to France, Alexey Meshkov, said Moscow is preparing "countermeasures." However, he sought to downplay wider impacts, stating the response would not target ordinary citizens or tourism. The EU's new rules are part of ongoing sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They aim to restrict diplomatic movement to the capital city of the country where the diplomat is posted and the city of Brussels, where the EU is headquartered. Ambassador Meshkov called the EU's decision "discriminatory." He argued it violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a key international treaty. Analysts suggest Russia's retaliation could involve imposing similar travel limits on EU diplomats stationed in Russia. The development marks a further decline in diplomatic relations between Moscow and European capitals.