Europe: Further countries expel Russian diplomats April 7 /update 36

Event

Governments in Greece, Norway, and Austria have expelled additional Russian diplomats as of April 7 for reasons relating to Russia's war in Ukraine. Several other countries have expelled numerous Russian diplomats in recent days and weeks on various grounds, including espionage and other national security concerns. Moscow will very likely retaliate by ordering diplomats from the nations in question to leave Russia. Such expulsions could reduce available consular services in each country, though core services will likely be maintained while diplomatic missions remain open.

Airspace Closures
The airspace of the EU, Switzerland, the UK, Canada, the US, and several other countries remains closed to all Russian aircraft and flights. Russia has implemented reciprocal bans from Russian airspace for airlines operated by those countries. The airspace closures have prompted flight schedule changes and lengthier flight times, as carriers are forced to adjust routes.

Several airlines not necessarily impacted by the national airspace closures have decided to partially or fully suspend services using Russian airspace due to a lack of insurance coverage or other issues prompted by sanctions. SriLankan Airlines (UL), Vietnam Airlines (VN), Swiss Airlines (LX), Azerbaijan Airlines (J2), and Air Astana (KC) have indefinitely suspended services with Russia. Korean Air (KE) has suspended flights through April 30.

Starting April 9, Russia will resume flights with 52 "friendly" nations that have not imposed sanctions on it; these include Algeria, Argentina, China, Lebanon, Peru, Pakistan, and South Africa. The Kremlin maintains a list of "unfriendly" nations that are enforcing sanctions against Russia and with which flights will likely not resume. The list includes all EU member nations, the UK, Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan, among several others.

European Air Travel Restrictions
Belarus has partially closed its airspace, including the southern Brest Region and areas south of Asipovichy and Krichev in Mogilev Region. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has also issued an advisory to avoid using the airspace within 100 nautical miles (185 km/115 miles) of the Belarus-Ukraine and Russia-Ukraine borders. To view the full EASA warning, click here.

Russian Travel Restrictions
Commercial flight operations at several southern and western Russian airports remain suspended until at least 03:00 April 13. Impacted airports include Rostov-on-Don Airport (RVI), Krasnodar International Airport (KRR), Anapa Airport (AAQ), Gelendzhik Airport (GDZ), Elista International Airport (ESL), Belgorod International Airport (EGO), Bryansk International Airport (BZK), Lipetsk Airport (LPK), Kursk Vostochny Airport (URS), Voronezh International Airport (VOZ), and Simferopol International Airport (SIP).

Additionally, effective April 11, Russia will scrap the simplified visa process available for diplomats and journalists from the EU, Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Holders of diplomatic passports from these countries will be required to obtain a visa to enter Russia.

Travel Warnings
Several governments, including those of the US, France, the UK, Australia, and Canada, have issued travel advisories calling on their nationals to avoid travel to Russia and for those within that country to depart by commercial means when it is safe to do so.

Heightened Security and General Disruptions
Several countries sharing borders with Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia have implemented heightened security measures. Moldova, Slovakia, and Lithuania have enacted states of emergency; Lithuania has tightened regulations to include prohibitions on collecting information on strategic sites and staging public events supporting Russia's actions. Moldova, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland are all keeping their respective borders with Ukraine open and are receiving refugees. These countries are also likely to maintain heightened security near their borders with Ukraine over at least the short term.

Ukraine has closed its border checkpoints with Belarus, Russia, and the Transnistria region of Moldova to foreign nationals; Ukrainian citizens are, however, permitted to return.

Sanctions
Other sanctions imposed by various nations against Russia in response to its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine remain in place. These mostly target the country's banking and finance sector, international travel capabilities, and specific Russian companies and citizens.

Sanctions and countersanctions could limit the ability of some foreign nationals to operate in Russia and Belarus and of Russian and Belarusian nationals to operate in Europe. However, foreign nationals seeking to leave Russia or Belarus, or Russians and Belarusians seeking to leave European nations, are unlikely to face administrative obstacles. Still, flight availability has been significantly reduced. While there may be an elevated threat of arbitrary politically motivated detentions until tensions ease, the likelihood of such actions remains low.

Aside from governmental sanctions, over 300 companies have either suspended or terminated their Russian operations. PayPal has halted services in Russia, while electronic payment companies Visa, Mastercard, and American Express have suspended operations in the country. American Express has also suspended all operations in Belarus. Western Union has suspended its operations in Russia and Belarus.

Generalized public fear over the potential impact of strong economic sanctions could prompt shortages of cash at ATMs as citizens attempt to withdraw large quantities of funds and shortages of essential goods due to panic buying. Some shortages have been reported in Russia; however, authorities have begun investigations into allegations of price-gouging.

Russian authorities have imposed countermeasures intended to limit the impact of sanctions, including prohibiting Russian citizens from exiting the country with more than USD 10,000 in foreign currency and capital controls preventing foreign companies from selling Russian assets. Additionally, the sale of foreign currency is banned until Sept. 9. Russian nationals with existing foreign currency accounts may only withdraw up to USD 10,000, in USD only, until Sept. 9. Russian authorities have also banned the export of over 200 products, including telecommunications, agricultural, electrical, and technological equipment.

Maritime Disruptions
Authorities of several governments, as well as the NATO Shipping Centre, have issued advisories to mariners concerning the ongoing danger posed to maritime navigation by drifting mines, primarily in the Northwest, West, and Southwest sectors of the Black Sea. Such mines have been discovered in the waters off of Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria; the various Black Sea littoral states are responsible for responding to mine sightings within their respective territorial waters. Some nations have warned their merchant fleets to avoid the area due to the threat. Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of being responsible for the hazard posed by drifting mines since the start of the conflict.

Civilian vessels cannot operate in the northern Black Sea or Sea of Azov, both important waterways for the global supply of grain, iron, and oil. Several civilian vessels have been damaged in the region, including two vessels sunk, and Russian naval forces have allegedly detained at least three others. There is also a significant buildup of cargo vessels at the Kerch Strait, with several other vessels remaining stuck in Ukrainian ports.

Several governments, including the UK, have banned Russian-connected ships from their seaports; various authorities have also seized Russian-owned vessels.

Anti-Western Sentiment
Heightened anti-Western sentiment is possible in Russia and Belarus in reaction to the international response to the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. While there is currently no increased direct security threat to Western or other foreign nationals in Russia or Belarus, isolated incidents of low-level harassment are possible. A potential rise in anti-Western sentiment could also result in increased scrutiny, harassment, or coercion of foreign nationals by border guards, police, and other officials. Such incidents could increase depending on the severity of any Western economic sanctions.

Advice

Confirm flight status with carriers; do not check out of accommodations until onward travel is confirmed. Avoid nonessential travel to affected border regions; defer travel to Ukraine. Exercise heightened vigilance at public gathering places in major urban areas. Heed authorities' instructions; remain calm and cooperative if questioned by law enforcement officers. Carry proper identification, including a passport with a current Russian or Belarusian visa if one is required. Prepare for disruptions to card payments in Russia. Ensure alternative payment methods are available. Refrain from discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine or other politically sensitive topics, including on social media services.

Resources

European Union Aviation Safety Agency
French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications
UK Travel Advice Russia
US Embassy in Russia