Moscow: Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has announced the expulsion of six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage and engaging in subversive activities against the country. This decision, made public on Friday, underscores the continuing tension between Russia and Western nations.
Accusations and Expulsion
According to Russian State TV, the FSB has accused the diplomats of being involved in intelligence-gathering operations and other activities aimed at undermining Russian interests. The FSB claims that the diplomats were dispatched by a division of the UK Foreign Office with the intent of causing a strategic defeat for Russia.
The expulsion comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Just two days prior, the United States and the United Kingdom had announced nearly $1.5 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine, further straining relations between Russia and the West. Ukrainian officials have also called for the use of Western-supplied missiles to target deeper inside Russia, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Diplomatic Repercussions
The British Embassy in Moscow has yet to respond to the expulsion notice. The move is expected to further deteriorate diplomatic relations between Russia and the United Kingdom, which have been strained over various geopolitical issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The expulsion of diplomats is a common diplomatic tool used in international relations to signal serious discontent or retaliation. The UK and Russia have been engaged in a series of diplomatic spats in recent years, and this latest development is likely to further complicate efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and other areas of bilateral concern.
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