Russia Expels Over 20 German Diplomats in ‘Reciprocal’ Move
Announcing the news, the spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, said during the weekend that the German diplomats would have to leave the country immediately.
The statement of the spokesperson came right after the German authorities denounced another expulsion of employees of Russian diplomatic missions in the country, and apart from saying that they would take reciprocal measures, the Russian authorities also accused Berlin of destroying the ties between the two countries, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
Commenting on the matter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany said that it took note of the statements issued by Russia, and the same said that the two countries have been in contact in recent weeks on personnel matters, AFP explains.
The same source further noted that the German Foreign Ministry said that “today’s flight is part of that process”, but it did not specifically mention the expulsion of any Russian diplomats.
On the other hand, despite the German authorities not mentioning that they would expel Russian diplomats, Moscow accused the country of destroying the relations, and as a response, they said they would mirror the decision of Germany.
“As a response to Berlin’s hostile actions, the Russian side has decided to mirror the decision and expel German diplomats from Russia,” the statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads.
AFP explained that taking into account Germany’s actions, Russia will also cut the maximum number of employees in German diplomatic missions in its territory.
Moscow said that the ambassador of Germany, Geza Andreas von Geyr, was notified of these measures earlier this month, on April 5, suggesting that they will move on with their plan as the relevant authorities have already been informed of the steps the country is to take.
Germany and Russia have been maintaining close economic ties with one another for years now, especially in the energy sector.
Nonetheless, the relations between the two countries changed since the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, started the war in Ukraine and since Berlin increased its financial as well as military support to Kyiv.
Germany is not the only country that decided to take measures against Russian diplomats. Just recently, Norway expelled 15 employees of the Russian Embassy in Oslo. They were expelled under the argument of having conducted incompatible activities with their diplomatic status.
