European countries expel more than 150 Russian diplomats in 48 hours

ROME, April 5, 2022 (AFP) – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Slovenia expel dozens of Russian diplomats within two days; this is a gesture that marks the further deterioration of relations with Moscow after the massacres that Russia is blamed for. to the light.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Tuesday (5) that Italy has decided to expel 30 Russian diplomats for “national security” reasons.

“This measure, taken by mutual agreement with our European and Atlantic partners, was necessary for reasons related to our national security and in the context of the current crisis situation regarding the unjustified attack of Ukraine by the Russian Federation,” said the chief. of Italian diplomacy

Western countries have expressed their disgust this weekend after dozens of bodies in plain clothes were found in Bucha, northwest of Ukraine’s capital, following the withdrawal of Russian forces.

Russia denies involvement and condemns any “establishment” of Kiev to tarnish the image of Russian soldiers.

After Bucha’s information came to light, Lithuania announced on Monday that the Russian ambassador was expelled “in response to Russia’s military aggression against sovereign Ukraine and the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces.”

On the same day, Germany announced that it had expelled “a large number” of Russian diplomats sent to Berlin, according to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. According to AFP information, there would be 40 of them.

This is a “threat to those who seek protection from us,” Russian embassy officials said. Germany has received more than 300,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing conflicts in their country since February 24.

– A total of 293 deportations – Shortly after, France announced the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats, whose “activities go against the country’s interests,” according to a source close to the French Foreign Ministry.

The head of Danish diplomacy, Jeppe Kofod, said on Tuesday that Denmark had made the decision to expel 15 Russian diplomats, accusing them of being “intelligence agents” carrying out “espionage activities on Danish soil”.

Another Scandinavian country, Sweden, took part in the media with the expulsion of three Russian diplomats. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Spain has decided to expel “about 25” Russian diplomats who pose a “threat to the country’s security interests”.

Several European states had already taken similar measures.

On March 29, Belgium announced the deportation of 21 people working for the Russian embassy and consulate suspected of involvement in “espionage and influence operations that threaten national security” within 15 days.

The Netherlands and Poland did the same, expelling dozens of diplomats.

This Tuesday (05), Slovenia also decided to expel 33 Russian diplomats to express its “deep protest” and “shock” after large numbers of bodies were found in the unoccupied Ukrainian city of Bucha, where Kiev is accusing the Russians of massacre.

According to the statement, Foreign Minister Anze Logar called on Russian Ambassador Timur Ejvazov to announce a sharp reduction in diplomatic and administrative troops. A spokesperson told AFP that 33 people were affected by the measure.

According to data from AFP, a total of 293 Russian diplomats have been expelled from various European Union countries since the start of the Russian offensive.

According to its spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin also condemned Europe’s “lack of vision” to expel large numbers of diplomats, as the move amounts to “reducing the possibilities for diplomatic communication in these difficult conditions”.

“And this will inevitably lead to retaliatory measures,” he added.

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