What's happened
On September 13, 2024, Russia expelled 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 coincided 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 BBC News, the UK Foreign Office labeled Russia's accusations as 'malicious and completely baseless,' emphasizing that the Kremlin's actions violate international diplomatic norms. Al Jazeera reported that the FSB claimed to have documentary proof of British coordination in escalating tensions in Ukraine, while Politico highlighted the timing of the expulsions coinciding with high-level discussions between UK and US leaders. The Independent noted that the FSB's claims included allegations of British diplomats engaging with opposition figures in Russia, further complicating the narrative of diplomatic relations.
How we got here
The expulsion follows a series of diplomatic tensions between the UK and Russia, particularly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. Accusations of espionage have become increasingly common, with both nations engaging in reciprocal expulsions of diplomats.
Common question
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What Are the Implications of Russia Expelling UK Diplomats?
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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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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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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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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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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
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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.