Russia "participates in opposition protests" to deport diplomats from three EU countries

The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced that it will expel the EU-European Union members Sweden and Poland, as well as German diplomats, from the protests last month at the behest of opposition forces.

The conflict between Russia and the EU over the release of Navalny, the leader of opposition forces, is intensifying.

In Russia, protests for release have spread across the country following the arrest of Navalny, the leader of opposition forces who have criticized Putin, and more than 10,000 people have been detained so far. Has been done.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on the 5th that Sweden, Poland and German diplomats participated in the protests on the 23rd, saying that it was an illegal act and expelled three diplomats from abroad. Did.

In response, Senior Representative Borrell, the EU's foreign minister, to which the three countries are members, issued a statement, strongly accusing Russia of "rejecting Russia's claim that it had acted unsuitably as a diplomat."

Senior Representative Borrell visited Moscow on the 4th, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the 5th, and had just called for the release of Mr. Navalny.

The announcement of the expulsion of diplomats during his stay in Russia by Senior Representative Borrell, who is in charge of foreign affairs in the EU, seems to reiterate the seriousness of the conflict between Russia and the EU over Mr. Navalny's release.

German and French leaders also criticize Russia

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron on the 5th that the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it would expel diplomats from three EU member countries. "The expulsion of diplomats is unjustified. It is a further indication that Russia is far from the rule of law, "he criticized.

On the other hand, he said that he would not change his position to proceed with the construction plan of "Nord Stream 2", an undersea pipeline for transporting Russian natural gas directly to Germany.

French President Emmanuel Macron also said he "condemns with the strongest determination" and strongly condemned Russia's series of responses to Mr. Navalny, including the expulsion of diplomats.