The European Commission on Monday urged EU member states to explore ways to strip sanctioned Russians and Belarussians of EU nationalities that were acquired in highly controversial "golden passport" schemes.
The legally tricky manoeuvre would punish sanctioned members of the Russian and Belarussian elite who had paid their way to EU nationality with vast investments in countries such as Cyprus, Malta and Bulgaria.
"We want EU governments to determine whether citizenships that were previously granted to Russian and Belarussian nationals subject to sanctions should be withdrawn," said EU Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand.
Days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Malta's former foreign affairs minister Evarist Bartolo said none of the Russian oligarchs sanctioned by the EU at that stage had Maltese citizenship.
He said two had applied but were rejected, adding, "top oligarchs do not cometo Malta".
Long-running battle
Criteria for acquiring - or denying - nationality is a member state competence, but countries that have held the "golden passport" schemes had come under pressure even before Russia invaded Ukraine.
Wigand said the commission, which is also in charge of drawing up EU sanctions, had no precise data on what sanctioned individuals were also holders of a bloc passport obtained through the schemes.
The commission and other member states have long deplored the controversial practice, which is suspected of facilitating corruption and money laundering.
Malta has defended its citizenship-by-investment scheme, saying its due diligence process is exceptional.
Brussels launched disciplinary proceedings against Cyprus and Malta in 2020 over the matter.
Malta last month said it would suspend granting passports to Russians and Belarusians until further notice following the invasion of Ukraine and Bulgaria's new government has adopted a bill ending its own scheme.
According to the European Parliament, at least 130,000 people obtained a "golden" passport or visa between 2011 and 2019, generating 21.8 billion euros ($24.1 billion) for the countries concerned.