War in Ukraine: expulsions of Russian diplomats continue
A dead civilian with his hands tied behind his back lies on the ground in Bucha close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday April 4, 2022. Russia is facing a fresh wave of condemnation after evidence emerged of what appeared to be deliberate killings of civilians in Ukraine .
(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) AP - Efrem Lukatsky
Text by: RFI Follow
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Expulsions of Russian diplomats in Europe continue.
Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Spain have in turn expelled dozens of Russian diplomats, marking a further deterioration in relations with Moscow.
Measures following the discovery of massacres attributed to Russian forces near kyiv on April 3, 2022.
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After the shock, the indignation and the reactions following the discovery in Boutcha of many corpses of civilians, the expulsions of Russian diplomats in Europe follow one another.
In total, in 48 hours, around 150 diplomats were expelled to Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Lithuania, France and Spain.
Fifteen Russian diplomats who "
carried out espionage activities on Danish soil
" are no longer accepted on the territory, said Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod.
Same thing in Italy where national security is invoked to explain the expulsion of 30 Russian diplomats.
These employees constitute “
a threat to those who seek protection with us
,” explained German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Germany hosts more than 300,000 Ukrainian refugees.
Expulsions which were imposed following the macabre discovery of the bodies of civilians in Boutcha.
►
To read also: War in Ukraine: images of corpses in Boutcha cause international outcry
The Russian authorities denounce the European “
lack of foresight
” and regret “
the reduction in the possibilities of communicating at the diplomatic level
” and deplore the deterioration of relations between Russia and the EU.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov speaks
of “retaliatory measures
”.
Already last week, several European states had already taken similar measures.
Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland had chosen to no longer accept the presence on their soil of certain people working for the Russian embassy or consulate.
►
To read also: Paris and Berlin announce the expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats
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