Topline
Russia expelled dozens of European diplomats from its country Wednesday, the latest retaliatory move by the Kremlin after Western countries expelled hundreds of Russian diplomats in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
A picture taken in 2018 shows a woman walking past the Italian embassy in Moscow.
Key Facts
The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry announced in statements posted to its website the expulsion of 34 French diplomats and 27 Spanish diplomats, pinning France and Spain’s decisions to expel Russian diplomats last month as the reason for dismissal.
The Spanish officials will have to leave Russia within a week, while the French diplomats were given two weeks to leave.
State-run news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported Russia also expelled 24 Italian diplomats Wednesday, responding to Italy’s April ejection of Russian officials.
Key Background
Russia had previously expelled dozens of other European officials last month, including diplomats from the European Union, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The expulsions are in response to a wave of Russian officials’ dismissal from Western countries: At least 394 Russian officials have been expelled from diplomatic missions abroad since the country invaded Ukraine February 24, according to Foreign Policy’s analysis last month. Western officials have alleged many of those dismissed are linked to Russian espionage activities.
Chief Critic
The expulsion of Italian diplomats from Russia is a “hostile act,” Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi told reporters Wednesday, according to Reuters. “This absolutely must not lead to an interruption of diplomatic channels because it is through those channels that, if we succeed, peace will be achieved and that is certainly what we want,” Draghi continued.
Surprising Fact
Cyprus, Malta and Hungary are the only EU countries that have not expelled Russian diplomats from their territory since February, according to the Guardian.
Further Reading
Spy games: expulsion of diplomats shines light on Russian espionage (Guardian)
Russia’s expulsion of Italian diplomats “hostile act” – PM Draghi (Reuters)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/05/18/russia-expels-french-italian-and-spanish-diplomats-in-hostile-act/