Kallas announces forty-person limit for Russian mission in EU

The European Union has decided to limit the Russian Mission in the bloc to a maximum of 40 personnel, signaling a firm stance against abuses of diplomatic privileges, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said. 

Following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on February 23, Kallas explained that the move is part of broader measures to hold Russia accountable. She said the EU is also tightening oversight of Russia’s shadow fleet and has sanctioned additional individuals responsible for massive human rights violations, Caliber.Az reports per the statement. 

"I have also decided to limit the maximum size of the Russian Mission in the European Union to 40 people. We will not tolerate abuse of diplomatic power," she said. 

Kallas noted that, in coordination with the European ommission, the EU is working to prevent potentially hundreds of thousands of former Russian soldiers from entering the Schengen area, aiming to keep war criminals and saboteurs off European streets.

EU officials stressed that these measures are separate from the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, which has not been finalised. The move follows the EU’s previous decision to extend broader sanctions against Russia until February 24, 2027. 

A reminder that Hungary vetoed the European Union’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia and a proposed €90 billion “military loan” to Ukraine, citing the blocking of oil transit via the Druzhba pipelinem on February 23. 

By Sabina Mammadli