Russia was the target of expelling diplomats from several countries
Photo: EPA / Ansa Brazil
Russia has expelled 40 diplomats from three European countries in response to similar measures by the governments of the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria, the foreign ministry reported Tuesday via the TASS news agency (19).
There are 21 Belgian officials, 15 Dutch (14 diplomats from the Moscow Embassy and one from the Consulate General in St. Petersburg) and four Austrians. All must leave the country within two weeks.
The three nations expelled Russian officials between March and April, and in many cases Moscow diplomats have been accused of engaging in activities beyond their official functions, such as espionage.
Expulsions from European countries have escalated since Russian attacks on Ukraine began on February 24 and continue to be announced by several nations.
support of Ukraine
US President Joe Biden and a number of allies discussed the war in Ukraine via video conference on Tuesday (19), and the US called on everyone to “continue to support Ukraine and efforts to make Russia pay for its actions.” “.
The hourlong meeting was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French Presidents Emmanuel Macron from Poland, Andrzej Duda and Romania, Klaus Iohannis, the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson of Japan, Fumio Kishida and Canada, Justin Trudeau, and the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg.
