Some 150 Russian diplomats were expelled from Europe in 48 hours due to the Ukraine war

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark and Sweden expelled dozens of Russian diplomats in two days, a gesture that marks a new degradation of relations with Moscow after massacres of which Russia is accused came to light. Russia.

Italy decided to expel 30 Russian diplomats for reasons of “national security”, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Tuesday.

“This measure, taken in common agreement with our European and Atlantic partners, has been necessary for reasons linked to our national security and in the context of the current crisis situation related to the unjustified aggression of Ukraine by the Russian Federation”said the head of Italian diplomacy.

Western countries expressed their rejection this weekend after the discovery of dozens of bodies dressed in civilian clothes in Bucha, northwest of the Ukrainian capital, after the withdrawal of Russian forces.

Russia denies its involvement in the events and denounces a “montage” of kyiv to denigrate the image of Russian soldiers.

After coming to light the information of BuchaLithuania announced on Monday the expulsion of the ambassador of Russia “in response to Russia’s military aggression against sovereign Ukraine and the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces.”

That same day, Germany announced that it was expelling “a large number” of Russian diplomats stationed in Berlin, according to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. According to AFP information, there would be 40.

These employees of the embassy of Russia they are a “threat to those who seek protection among us,” he said. Germany receives more than 300,000 Ukrainian refugees who have fled fighting in their country since February 24.

About 260 expelled in total

Shortly after, France announced the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats “whose activities are contrary to the interests” of the countryaccording to a source close to the French Foreign Ministry.

On Tuesday, Denmark also decided to expel 15 Russian diplomats accusing them of being “intelligence agents” that they carried out “espionage activities on Danish soil”, declared the head of Danish diplomacy, Jeppe Kofod.

Another Scandinavian country, Sweden joined the average with the expulsion of three Russian diplomats.

AND Spain decided to expel “around 25” Russian diplomats who represent “a threat to the security interests” of the countryannounced the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares.

Several European states had already taken similar measures.

On March 29, Belgium announced the expulsion in 15 days of 21 people who worked for the Russian embassy and consulate, suspected of being involved in “espionage and influence operations that threaten national security.”

Netherlands and Poland they followed in their footsteps and also expelled dozens of diplomats.

According to a count made by AFP, some 260 Russian diplomats have been expelled in total from various countries of the European Union since the start of the Russian offensive.

The Kremlin denounced, on its side, Europe’s “lack of vision” in expelling numerous diplomats, since the movement implies “the reduction of the possibilities of communicating in the diplomatic field in these difficult circumstances,” according to a spokesman, Dmitry Peskov.

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

Source: Elcomercio

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