The Czech Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavsky, believes Russia is waging asymmetrical war against Europe, while Europe offers asymmetric benefits to the Kremlin amid sabotage incidents. Since 2014, Prague has grudges against Russia after Russian agents involved in an explosion in Vrbetice were later linked to the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in England. To combat Russian activities, Czechia stopped allowing holders of non-biometric passports to enter, urging EU countries to follow suit.
Lipavsky emphasizes how Russian diplomatic missions serve hybrid warfare against Europe, leading to calls to restrict the movement of Russian passport-holders, including diplomats, within the Schengen area. While some Baltic states support the measure, others fear retaliation, with solutions debated within the EU. The author, Elisabeth Braw, argues against the Schengen measure, citing limited gains and potential diplomatic fallout.
Despite challenges, Czechia continues to advocate for restricting Russian diplomats’ movements to limit Kremlin interference in the EU. As Europe navigates how to handle Russian aggression, support for such measures remains a topic of discussion at the EU level.
Edited by: Andreas Illmer