Tensions Rise as Russia Expels Six British Diplomats Accused of Spying
In a dramatic turn of events, Russia has stripped the accreditation of six British diplomats, accusing them of carrying out “subversive actions aimed at causing harm to our people.” The move comes just a month after the UK revoked the credentials of an attaché at the Russian Embassy in London and limited Moscow’s diplomatic activities in the capital.
According to the FSB, Russia’s main security agency, the diplomats were sent to Russia by a division of the U.K.’s Foreign Office “whose main task is to inflict a strategic defeat on” the country. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the accused diplomats as being involved in “subversive activities aimed at causing harm to our people.”
The UK, however, has condemned the move, calling it “completely baseless.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is currently in Washington for talks that will include Ukraine’s request to use Western-supplied weapons to strike targets deeper inside Russia. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons would put NATO at war with Moscow.
The escalating tensions come as Ukraine seeks to regain control over its territories occupied by Russian forces. The use of Western-supplied weapons would mark a significant escalation in the conflict, which has already resulted in significant humanitarian suffering and infrastructure damage.
The Russian government’s accusations against the British diplomats have sparked outrage in the UK, with many condemning the move as an attempt to intimidate and discredit British officials. The incident is likely to further strain already tense relations between Russia and the UK, with some calling for further sanctions against Moscow.
As the situation continues to unfold, international observers are watching closely to see how the situation develops. One thing is certain, however – the diplomatic fallout from this incident is likely to have far-reaching consequences for international relations.
