Britain has expelled a Russian diplomat in response to Moscow’s decision last month to remove a British envoy, escalating a diplomatic dispute against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
The Foreign Office said on Monday that it summoned Russia’s ambassador to London to formally notify Moscow of the move, describing it as a direct and proportional response to Russia’s earlier action.
In a statement, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the expulsion followed Russia’s decision to accuse a British diplomat of espionage, an allegation the UK rejected outright.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said the accusations made by Moscow were unfounded and that the removal of the British diplomat had been neither justified nor provoked.
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During the meeting, a senior UK official told the Russian ambassador that Britain would not tolerate pressure or intimidation directed at its embassy staff. As a result, the UK revoked the accreditation of a Russian diplomat with immediate effect.
The spokesperson warned that London viewed Russia’s approach as hostile and said further steps by Moscow would draw a response.
The latest exchange comes as relations between Russia and Western governments remain strained by the conflict in Ukraine. Since the invasion, both sides have accused one another of expanding intelligence operations, a situation diplomats say has led to increased surveillance and restrictions on foreign missions.
Western officials stationed in Moscow have repeatedly complained of harassment and intrusive monitoring, while Russia has made similar claims about its diplomats abroad.
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Britain said it had made its position clear that any additional actions targeting its diplomatic staff would be treated as an escalation.
The Russian embassy in London did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the British decision.
Diplomatic expulsions have become increasingly common since the start of the Ukraine war, often framed by governments as reciprocal measures rather than isolated incidents.
