UK Revokes Accreditation of Russian Diplomat Amid Ongoing Tensions
The action is a reciprocal measure following Russia's expulsion of a British diplomat last year, highlighting escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
The United Kingdom has announced the revocation of the accreditation of a Russian diplomat, a move characterized as reciprocal amid heightened diplomatic strains between the UK and Russia.
The Russian ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, was summoned to the Foreign Office, where he was informed of the decision.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office stated, 'We have summoned the Russian ambassador for a meeting with a senior British official to revoke the accreditation of a Russian diplomat.' This action comes in response to what the UK termed Russia’s 'unprovoked and baseless decision' to strip the accreditation of a British diplomat based in Moscow in November of the previous year.
The UK government indicated that this revocation is a direct reaction to Moscow's prior expulsion of a British official, asserting, 'The UK will not stand for intimidation of our staff in this way and so we are taking reciprocal action.' Furthermore, the Foreign Office noted that any further actions taken by Russia would be considered an escalation, emphasizing that such acts would elicit an appropriate response.
The UK government has claimed to possess evidence that the expelled Russian diplomat was involved in 'reconnaissance and subversive work' purportedly threatening the security of the Russian Federation.
This diplomat had been stationed at the embassy in Moscow and was reportedly filling the position of one of six British intelligence officers expelled by Russia in August.
At that time, the Foreign Office labeled Russia's accusations that these diplomats were spies as 'baseless', asserting that the expulsions were part of a broader strategy aimed at deterring UK support for Ukraine, amidst ongoing military and political conflicts in the region.
The Russian ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, was summoned to the Foreign Office, where he was informed of the decision.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office stated, 'We have summoned the Russian ambassador for a meeting with a senior British official to revoke the accreditation of a Russian diplomat.' This action comes in response to what the UK termed Russia’s 'unprovoked and baseless decision' to strip the accreditation of a British diplomat based in Moscow in November of the previous year.
The UK government indicated that this revocation is a direct reaction to Moscow's prior expulsion of a British official, asserting, 'The UK will not stand for intimidation of our staff in this way and so we are taking reciprocal action.' Furthermore, the Foreign Office noted that any further actions taken by Russia would be considered an escalation, emphasizing that such acts would elicit an appropriate response.
The UK government has claimed to possess evidence that the expelled Russian diplomat was involved in 'reconnaissance and subversive work' purportedly threatening the security of the Russian Federation.
This diplomat had been stationed at the embassy in Moscow and was reportedly filling the position of one of six British intelligence officers expelled by Russia in August.
At that time, the Foreign Office labeled Russia's accusations that these diplomats were spies as 'baseless', asserting that the expulsions were part of a broader strategy aimed at deterring UK support for Ukraine, amidst ongoing military and political conflicts in the region.
