Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands are sending Russian diplomats
Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands began to expel Russian diplomats en masse. As a rule, there is only one reason – espionage.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry has announced that it is sending 17 Russian diplomats. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra.
– The Netherlands is sending 17 Russian spies who have been attached to Russian missions in the Netherlands under diplomatic cover, – the minister said.
The agency received information about Russian intelligence from law enforcement officers.
– These intelligence officers pose a threat to national security. This step was taken in coordination with other like-minded countries, – said Wopke Hoekstra.
Belgium sends 21 Russian diplomats. This was stated in the House of Representatives by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmès, writes Demorgen. Russian diplomats are suspected of involvement in espionage or pose a threat to the security of Belgium.
Diplomats have two weeks to leave the territory. They work at the Russian Embassy in Brussels and at the Russian Consulate General in Antwerp.
Ireland expelled four Russian diplomats from the country. Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney summoned the Russian ambassador to inform him that the diplomats must leave because their activities do not meet international standards of diplomatic conduct.
Also, one Russian diplomat has only three days to leave the Czech Republic. This was stated in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
– Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs informed the Russian Embassy in Prague that one of its diplomatic staff had been declared persona non grata and was requested to leave the Czechia within 72 hours. Together with our Allies, we are reducing the Russian intelligence presence in the EU, – the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs said.
