Eight EU foreign ministers called on the EU to ban Russian diplomats from moving freely across the Schengen area and restrict them to countries where they are accredited, citing concerns over sabotage operations.

Eight European Union foreign ministers called on the EU to ban Russian diplomats from moving freely around the bloc and restrict them to countries where they are accredited

The call comes amid news of an uptick in sabotage operations in Europe that seems to be a part of Russia's effort to undermine assistance for Ukraine

Eight foreign ministers of EU member states called on the EU top diplomat, Josep Borrell, to consider the ban on Russian diplomats' free movement around the bloc, restricting it to countries of accreditation.

Free movement of holders of Russian diplomatic and service passports, accredited in one host state, across the whole Schengen area is easing malign activities

The threat remains in place as intelligence, propaganda or even preparation of sabotage acts are the main workload for a large number of Russian diplomats in the EU

The EU should strictly follow the reciprocity principle and restrict the movement of members of Russian diplomatic missions and their family members to territory of a state of their accreditation only