In the latest diplomatic escalation, Russia expelled two UK diplomats on Monday. The two men were accused of "intelligence and subversive work" by the Federal Security Service (FSB).
The diplomats were stripped of their accreditation and were asked to leave Russia within two weeks.
Russia says it's kicking out two British accredited diplomats from Moscow, after the FSB "identified signs of intelligence and subversive work by said diplomats, threatening the security of the Russian Federation." Embassy official hauled into @MID_RF for a tongue-lashing. pic.twitter.com/N7drdVnNRB
— Mike Eckel (@Mike_Eckel) March 10, 2025
Meanwhile, the UK has rubbished these claims and said that Russia was making "malicious and baseless accusations".
The UK also said this is not the first time Russia has made such malicious and baseless accusations against our staff.
“You can’t separate this from Russia trying very hard to get closer to America and possibly having a hope of splitting the US from Europe.”
— Times Radio (@TimesRadio) March 10, 2025
Russia would “dearly like” to destabilise Europe, says @BronwenMaddox, as Russia expels one British diplomat and the wife of another. pic.twitter.com/RAST5zl8i0
Last month a Russian diplomat was expelled on charges of "spying". The Russian Foreign Ministry had then said that it intended to retaliate to the expulsion.
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On espionage charges, as many as seven British diplomats were expelled from Russia last year. However, the UK denied Moscow’s allegations.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the relations between Moscow and UK have deteriorated. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s close association with Ukraine has worsened the relations as well.
In a statement, Russia accused the two British men of declaring "false information about themselves when receiving permission" to enter Russia.
In protest, a representative of the British embassy was summoned by Russia's foreign ministry.
The latest expulsions are seen as the first Western diplomatic escalation after Russia and the US held talks on restoring relations last month. Also, the US is making efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict by trying to bring both leaders to negotiate terms to end the war.
France and the UK have also stepped in to help Zelenksyy with a peace deal as well. Recently, the UK called a crucial summit to discuss the peace deal efforts after Zelenskyy’s blowout with US President Donald Trump.
Starmer has pledged to increase defence spending and called on countries to join a "coalition of the willing" to deter Russia from further invading Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.
