What's happened
On September 13, 2024, Russia's FSB announced the expulsion of six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage and subversive activities. The UK government dismissed these claims as baseless, framing the move as retaliation for previous Western actions against Russian officials. This incident coincides with a meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden regarding the Ukraine conflict.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, the FSB accused the British diplomats of conducting intelligence activities and coordinating efforts to inflict a 'strategic defeat' on Russia. The UK Foreign Office responded, labeling these accusations as 'completely baseless.' Politico highlighted that the expulsions occurred just before a significant meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden, emphasizing the geopolitical stakes involved. The Moscow Times noted that the FSB's claims included allegations of recruiting Russian teenagers and engaging with opposition figures, further illustrating the contentious nature of UK-Russia relations. Meanwhile, BBC News reported on Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that allowing Ukraine to use Western missiles could escalate the conflict, indicating the high stakes of the current diplomatic landscape.
How we got here
Tensions between the UK and Russia have escalated in recent months, particularly following the UK's expulsion of a Russian defense attache in May 2024. The FSB's latest accusations come amid ongoing discussions about military support for Ukraine and the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict.
Common question
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Why Did Russia Expel Six British Diplomats?
On September 13, 2024, Russia's FSB announced the expulsion of six British diplomats, citing espionage and subversive activities. This significant diplomatic move raises questions about the underlying tensions between the UK and Russia, especially in light of recent geopolitical events. Below, we explore the reasons behind this expulsion, the UK's response, and the potential implications for future relations.
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More on these topics
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Maria Vladimirovna Zakharova is the Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation from 10 August 2015. She has a degree of Candidate in Historical Sciences, the Russian equivalent of a PhD.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation is the principal security agency of Russia and the main successor agency to the USSR's KGB.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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FSB may refer to:
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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office, or British Foreign Office, is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom.