Slovakia expels 35 Russian diplomats
After several European countries expelled Russian diplomats for alleged "espionage" and other fabricated reasons, Slovakia follows suit.
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Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic spokesman Juraj Tomaga
EU member Slovakia said Wednesday that 35 Russian diplomats will be expelled based on intelligence services data.
This comes a day after EU members Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic all declared the expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats allegedly suspected of spying, amid the war in Ukraine.
Slovakia will "reduce the staff of the Russian embassy in Bratislava by 35," said Juraj Tomaga, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.
"We regret that following the previous expulsions of Russian diplomats in the last couple of years, the Russian diplomatic mission has not shown any interest in operating correctly in Slovakia," he added.
Slovakia had expelled 3 Russian officials for espionage earlier this month, and in retaliation for the country's decision, Russia deemed 3 Slovakians as persona non grata.
Baltic states expel Russian diplomats
The Estonian Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of three Russian diplomats early in March, accusing them of "damaging the country's security and spreading propaganda."
"Estonia expels three diplomatic staff members of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn, who have violated the Vienna Convention. They have directly and actively undermined Estonia's security and spread propaganda justifying Russia's illegal warfare," the Ministry wrote on Twitter.
Latvia expels 3 employees of the Russian embassy
Latvia has decided to dismiss three Russian embassy personnel for alleged "actions that are contradictory to their diplomatic standing," according to Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics.
"#Latvia expells three Russian Embassy employees in connection with activities that are contrary to their diplomatic status and taking into account ongoing Russian aggression in #Ukraine. The decision has been coordinated with #Lithuania and #Estonia," Rinkevics tweeted.
Lithuania declares Four Russian embassy staff persona non grata
Lithuania has declared four Russian Embassy staffers persona non grata for suspected conduct incompatible with a diplomat's status, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated.
"On 18 March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania summoned Russia's Ambassador to Lithuania Alexey Isakov and handed him a diplomatic note, declaring four employees of the Russian Embassy as undesirable persons in Lithuania for activities incompatible with their diplomatic status, as well as ordering them to leave Lithuania within five days," the statement read.
Earlier, the US designated 12 people from the Russian mission as persona non grata, demanding they leave by March 7.
The US still believes in diplomacy as the only responsible and sustainable means by which to end the conflict, claimed the State Department.
It added that the US can still engage with the Russian Federation through the State Department, Defense Department, and any other channel.
The Russian envoy to the UN said the expulsion of Russian diplomats is "sad news" and yet another demonstration of "gross disrespect by the US of its obligations."
