UK expels Russian diplomat amid escalating tensions with Moscow
2 Min Read
The diplomatic dispute escalated earlier in the week when Russia accused two British diplomats of espionage and ordered them to leave within two weeks.
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A Union flag flies near Big Ben in London, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, on the 5th anniversary after the UK officially left the European Union (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The UK government announced on Wednesday that it had expelled a Russian diplomat and their spouse, following accusations that Moscow is harassing British diplomatic staff. The move comes after the UK Foreign Office summoned the Russian ambassador to protest what it claimed to be a coordinated campaign of intimidation against its embassy personnel.
"Summoning the Russian Ambassador today, a senior Foreign Office official made clear that the UK will not stand for intimidation of British embassy staff and their families. Consequently, we are taking immediate reciprocal action, revoking accreditation for a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse," the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The diplomatic dispute escalated earlier in the week when Russia accused two British diplomats of espionage and ordered them to leave within two weeks. The UK strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as "entirely false" and "fabricated in order to justify their increasing harassment of UK diplomats."
The Foreign Office condemned Russia's decision, stating, "Russia's expulsion this week of a British diplomat and diplomatic spouse is yet another escalation." The UK further accused Moscow of spreading "malicious and completely baseless accusations" to undermine British diplomatic efforts.
The British government also issued a warning to Russia, cautioning that any further measures "will be considered an escalation and responded to accordingly." Officials claimed that Moscow is "actively seeking to drive the British Embassy in Moscow towards closure."
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