The decision taken in both countries, who keep a channel of communication with the Kremlin, marks a turning point. For its part, Lithuania constrains the Russian ambassador to the start.
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Decisions were unveiled three days after the discovery of civilians performed by the Russian forces when they were withdrawn from the kyiv region. But they were in preparation well before, in consultation with Washington and the capitals of the European Union. France and Germany announced, Monday, April 4, the expulsion of Russian diplomats considered as spies. A total of 35 agents will have to leave Paris, and 40, Berlin.
“The activities [of these personnel] are contrary to our security interests,” French diplomacy reported in a very succinct statement. According to the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, these employees of the Russian Embassy in Berlin constituted “a threat to those who seek protection at home”. “We will not tolerate it anymore,” she added.
In addition, Lithuania decided to expel the Russian ambassador to Vilnius “in response to the military aggression of Russia against the sovereign Ukraine and atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces”. These acts continued, Monday, to be denounced by Westerners. In turn, the US President Joe Biden called for a “trial for war crimes” and “additional penalties” against Moscow. “It must be accountable,” he added about his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, repeating that he considered him a “war criminal”.
“Actions spying “
If they mark a turning point on the part of Paris and Berlin, who seek to maintain a communication channel with the Kremlin, these expulsions of Russian agents are not the first for the continent. The Baltic countries announced, from the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, on February 24, the expulsion of a dozen diplomatic representatives, and Moscow replied with a similar measure.
Bulgaria said ten Diplomats Persona Non Grata from March 18th. On March 22, Poland filed the expulsion of 45 diplomats. “We are strongly destroying and consequently the networks of the Russian intelligence agencies on our territory, then commented on the Minister of the Interior and Coordinator of Special Services, Mariusz Kaminski. They are people who operate under the guise of a diplomatic status, But who leads to espionage actions against Poland. “
Tuesday, March 29, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands acted almost simultaneously. Twenty-one presumed spies were invited to leave Brussels; Four, to leave Dublin, while the Government of The Hague warned that 17 of the 65 members of the Russian Embassy, suspected of being “intelligence officers”, would be expelled from the Kingdom.
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