Russia expels six British diplomats amid spy allegations

A few hours before the meeting between British Prime Minister Keira Starmer and US President Joe Biden, Russia announced the expulsion of six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage. According to Moscow, London is coordinating the escalation of the international military-political situation.

"On the basis of documents provided by the Federal Security Service of Russia and as a response to the numerous unfriendly steps taken by London, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, in co-operation with the agencies concerned, has terminated the accreditation of six members of the political department of the British Embassy in Moscow in whose actions signs of spying and sabotage were found," reads the Friday statement by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. The FSB does not disclose the names of the British diplomats.

As Politico emphasises, information about the deportation of British diplomats appeared just a few hours before the planned meeting between British Prime Minister Keira Starmer and US President Joe Biden in Washington, DC, which will address, among other things, the situation in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the actions of the British diplomats were aimed at “causing harm” to the Russian nation and “went far beyond the limits set by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.” However, she did not specify what exactly she meant.

"The Russian authorities revoked the diplomatic accreditation of six U.K. diplomats in Russia last month, following action taken by the U.K. government in response to Russian state-directed activity across Europe and in the U.K. We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests," the British Foreign Ministry responded.