Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the EU Vladimir Chizhov reminded European diplomats of the need to comply with the rules of conduct in the host country. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
According to the diplomat, according to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the diplomat’s function is to monitor and analyze the situation in the host country. “But it is one thing to analyze and monitor the situation in the host country, and another thing to participate in specific political actions,” Chizhov said.
He stressed that diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden were expelled precisely because of their participation in unauthorized actions, Chizhov noted that the diplomats themselves and their leadership knew that these actions were unauthorized.
On February 5, Moscow announced the expulsion of three foreign diplomats for participating in unauthorized rallies in support of Alexei Navalny (he is the founder of FBK, included by the Ministry of Justice in the register of organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent). Diplomats from Poland, Sweden and Germany were summoned to the ministry and protested over their participation in unauthorized rallies on 23 January.