By Russia has revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage and sabotage. On Friday, the Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that these diplomats were involved in “subversive activities and intelligence gathering,” asserting that it has “documentary” evidence of the United Kingdom’s role in escalating the international and military situation in Ukraine.
The British government swiftly rejected these allegations as “completely baseless.” In response, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) characterized the expulsion as a retaliatory measure following Western actions against Russian state-directed activities across Europe and the UK. The six diplomats have already departed from Russia and have been replaced.
The timing of the announcement is notable, coming just hours before a planned meeting in Washington, DC, between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden. The meeting is expected to focus on discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The FSB, which succeeded the Soviet-era KGB, alleged that the UK’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia department was coordinating efforts aimed at inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Russia. According to Al Jazeera’s Moscow correspondent, Yulia Shapovalova, this latest expulsion was “not surprising” and reflects the current state of diplomatic relations between the two nations, which are at a historic low.
Earlier this year, the UK had already taken significant measures against Russian diplomatic presence. In May, the UK expelled the Russian defense attache for spying and revoked diplomatic status from several Russian properties. Additionally, the UK imposed a five-year limit on Russian diplomats’ postings, leading to the departure of many Russian officials from the country.
The escalating diplomatic tensions between Russia and the UK highlight the broader geopolitical struggles and the impact of international actions on bilateral relations.
