The European Union is capping Russia’s diplomatic mission in Brussels at 40 staff and moving to block former Russian soldiers from entering the Schengen zone, in what EU officials describe as a fresh tightening of pressure on Moscow.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the measures Monday, linking them to broader efforts to crack down on Russia’s sanctions evasion networks and alleged human rights abuses.
“We are tightening the net around Russia’s shadow fleet, including with the compendium on best practices. Today, we sanctioned more people for massive human rights abuses in Russia,” Kallas said.
“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 added.
In a move that could have sweeping consequences, Kallas said the European Commission is working with member states to prevent what she described as “potential hundreds of 1000s” of former Russian soldiers from traveling freely across Europe.
“We do not want war criminals and saboteurs to roam our streets,” she said.
The Kremlin’s mission to the EU pushed back, claiming Brussels moved against Russian diplomats after EU governments failed to approve a 20th sanctions package by the Feb. 24 anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It also accused the bloc of undermining “ongoing negotiations on a peaceful settlement,” pointing to EU disagreements over a proposed €90 billion financial package for Ukraine for 2026–2027.
The deadlock centers on Hungary, which blocked both the sanctions package and the financial aid, citing a dispute over Russian oil transit through Ukraine via the Druzhba pipeline.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said Budapest would not greenlight major EU decisions benefiting Kyiv until oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia resume.
Kyiv has said the transit halt followed pipeline damage in late January.
German Foreign Minister Norbert Wadephul said Berlin would try to persuade Hungary to reconsider. Kallas acknowledged the stalled sanctions as a “setback” but signaled Brussels is not backing down.
The draft sanctions reportedly include new restrictions on Russian oil exports and tighter controls on cryptocurrency transactions – part of a broader EU strategy to close loopholes and squeeze Moscow’s war financing.
If approved, the proposed Schengen entry ban would mark one of the bloc’s most aggressive security steps since the start of Russia’s full-scale war – directly targeting individuals who took part in the invasion rather than just state officials or oligarchs.