Russia orders a British diplomat to leave the country over spying allegations

Yahoo
Yahoo
21h ago
Russian authorities ordered a British diplomat to leave Russia within two weeks on allegations of spying.
Russia orders a British diplomat to leave the country over spying allegations
A What happened
Russian authorities ordered a British diplomat to leave the country on allegations of spying. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) alleged the embassy staff member worked for British intelligence and provided no evidence. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the diplomat’s accreditation was revoked and the person must leave within two weeks, and it summoned the U.K.’s charge d’affaires in Russia, Danae Dholakia, to receive the notice. Russia and NATO allies have carried out multiple rounds of mutual expulsions of diplomats since relations fell to the lowest levels since the Cold War when the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

Key insights

  • 1

    Russia threatened reciprocal measures: Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it would respond in kind to any action taken by London on the issue.

  • 2

    FSB provided no evidence for the allegation: The FSB alleged the embassy staff member worked for British intelligence and did not provide evidence.

Takeaways

A British diplomat must leave Russia within two weeks after Russia revoked the person’s accreditation over spying allegations.

Topics

World & Politics International Affairs Diplomacy

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