By Chris King • Published: 05 Feb 2021 • 18:09
Russia To Expel Three EU Diplomats On Monday Amid Navalny Tensions. image: commons wikimedia
RUSSIA To Expel Three EU Diplomats On Monday Amid Growing Alexei Navalny Tensions
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, during a visit to Moscow today (Friday) to meet with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, was informed that next Monday 8, Moscow will expel three European diplomats, one from each of the Swedish, Germany, and Polish embassies, as reported by The Guardian.
Mr Borrell, the first senior EU official to visit Moscow since 2017, arrived in the country only two days after the jailing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was informed that the three diplomats stand accused of taking part in the outlawed demonstrations against Navalny.
Russian media outlets broke the news, with Lavrov claiming the news had somehow been leaked to the press, with Mr Burrell telling reporters, “We reject these allegations”, pointing out that diplomats, under the rules of diplomatic convention, are allowed to observe political rallies of any kind.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry was quick to issue a statement confirming the Monday expulsions, stating that the three mens’ alleged participation in the protests was “unacceptable and inappropriate for their diplomatic status”.
Mr Borrell also told reporters, that during his meeting with Sergei Lavrov he had “refused and rebutted” the claims, while Angela Merkel, the German chancellor labelled the move “unjustified”.
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Originally from Wales, Chris spent years on the Costa del Sol before moving to the Algarve where he is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com
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