Just as the situation in Ukraine continues to develop and spill over, a diplomatic war is unfolding between Russia and Europe. Since April 4, local time, several European countries successively announced the expulsion of a large number of Russian diplomats. Russia’s foreign ministry said it would fight back, and several Russian officials condemned it.
On April 4, local time, Lithuania and Latvia announced the downgrade of diplomatic relations with Russia. Germany and France also announced on the same day that they had expelled a total of 75 diplomats in the name of “undesirable” and “national security”. On April 5, local time, Italy, Spain, Denmark and other European countries expelled more than 100 Russian diplomats. The EU also announced the expulsion of 19 staff members of the Russian mission to the EU.
Russian Foreign Ministry: Countermeasures will be taken soon
Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said on April 5 that the expulsion of Russian diplomats by European countries is short-sighted, which will complicate the communication between Russia and Europe.
Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov: We have a negative attitude (to the European expulsion of Russian diplomats), we regret to believe that in the current predicament, in an unprecedented crisis, this move reduces the possibility of diplomatic communication, which is shortsighted , a step that complicates communication. Communication is a necessary link to achieve coordination, and at the same time (the expulsion of Russian diplomats) will eventually lead to Russian countermeasures (to Europe).
Several senior Russian officials condemn European countries for expelling Russian diplomats
On April 4, local time, Dmitry Medvedev, vice chairman of the Russian Federation Security Council, said that expelling diplomats is a cheap move to put pressure on a country, and nothing will change except further damage to international relations.
On April 5, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Glushko said that European countries had planned this move for a long time, and such behavior damaged Russia-Europe relations, and the unfriendly policy of the West toward Russia was not in sight. Krasin, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council, said that diplomacy is an art of reaching consensus and building a bridge of mutual understanding, but currently European countries are following the US, destroying bridges and not caring about their own future.
Original title: European countries expel a large number of Russian diplomats, Russia responded: will take countermeasures soon
Responsible editor: Wang Ping