Russia considers the ultimatum of the Czech Republic on the issue of expulsion of diplomats unacceptable. This was stated by the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharov on the radio station “Vesti.FM”
“The volley, which was made yesterday made by Czech representatives of various branches of power, [was] to nowhere. I would even say, maybe even more specifically: he is not so much in anywhere, he hit them himself,” – emphasized Zakharov. The diplomat noted that in Prague, it is certainly aware of the unacceptability of such statements, and called the actions of the Czech authorities “Proceeding of the Order”.
Previously, Prague demanded from Moscow to return the expelled Czech diplomats back, and this should be done until 12:00 on April 22 – otherwise the Czech Republic promises to send other employees of Russian diplomatic confinement.
Relations between Russia and the Czech Republic worsened against the background of the accusation of the special services of Russia, whom Prague considers it involved in an explosion in the warehouse of ammunition in Vrbetice in 2014. This was followed by a decision on expulsion of 18 Russian diplomats. In addition, on April 19, members of the Czech Government unanimously decided to exclude Rosatom from among the candidates for participation in the tender for the construction of a new power unit of the NPP “Cocus” in the south-east of the country.
Moscow promised to take response steps and already sent 20 Czech diplomats.