Today, 6 European countries and the European Union announced the expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats from their territories, due to security considerations and against the backdrop of allegations that Moscow committed war crimes in Ukraine. Russia criticized these decisions and vowed to respond appropriately.
And Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alparis said - today, Tuesday - that his country will expel about 25 Russian diplomats and employees of the Russian embassy from Madrid, because they "represent a threat to the interests and security of our country," without ruling out taking further measures.
A source said the Russian ambassador in Madrid was not among the diplomats to be expelled.
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said that Italy expelled 30 Russian diplomats due to security concerns, explaining that "this measure, taken in agreement with our European and Atlantic partners, has become necessary for reasons related to our national security and in the context of the current crisis against the background of the unjustified aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine." ".
European format
France announced today the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats, "whose activities conflict with its interests," according to a source close to the French Foreign Ministry, explaining that "this measure is part of a European approach."
And Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said - today, Tuesday - that the country decided to expel 15 Russian diplomats, after reports that mass graves had been found and civilians were killed in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.
Reuters quoted Swedish Foreign Minister Anne Linde as saying that her country would expel 3 Russian diplomats.
The foreign ministries of Latvia and Estonia also said today, Tuesday, that both of them had ordered the closure of two Russian consulates by the end of this month, and asked their workers to leave the country at the same time, in measures that came in response to the Russian war in Ukraine.
Today, Slovenia also decided to expel 33 Russian diplomats, expressing its "protest" and "shock" after the discovery of many bodies in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, after the withdrawal of Russian forces from it.
Diplomatic rating
The European Union also today classified 19 Russian diplomats as persona non grata, due to their "engagement in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status," and ordered them to leave Belgium, the host country of the European Union headquarters.
Germany, Lithuania, France, the Netherlands and Poland announced yesterday, Monday, the expulsion of a number of Russian diplomats against the backdrop of the war on Ukraine, and a few days ago, many bodies of civilians were found in the town of Bucha on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, following the withdrawal of Russian forces from the city.
The Kremlin today denounced Europe's "near vision", after countries in Europe expelled more than 120 Russian diplomats over the Russian attack on Ukraine.
In a press statement, a Kremlin spokesman said that the expulsion of Russian diplomats "is unfortunate, as limiting the opportunities for communication at the diplomatic level in these difficult circumstances reflects short-sightedness, which would further complicate" relations between Russia and the European Union.
According to a census conducted by Agence France-Presse, nearly 260 Russian diplomats have been expelled from various European Union countries since the start of the Russian war on Ukraine on February 24.