<p>A coordinated action taken in the shadow of Moscow's war in Ukraine has seen Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and the Czech Republic expel dozens of Russian diplomats suspected of spying.</p>

<p>Russia said it would respond in kind.</p>

<p>Belgium has expelled 21 diplomats from Russia's embassy in Brussels and consulate in Antwerp. They have two weeks to leave, said Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scepticism-greets-russian-pledge-to-deescalate-around-kyiv-466850" hreflang="en">Scepticism greets Russian pledge to deescalate around Kyiv</a></strong></p>

<p>Her ministry said the move was made in coordination with the neighbouring Netherlands, whose foreign ministry had expelled 17 Russian diplomats considered "secretly active" as intelligence officers.</p>

<p>Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said four "senior officials" from the Russian embassy in Dublin were asked to leave for violating "international standards of diplomatic behaviour" -- which is code for spying.</p>

<p>The Czech foreign ministry announced that a Russian diplomat had been given 72 hours to leave the embassy in Prague. The diplomat is believed to be Russia's deputy ambassador.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-may-single-out-and-detain-us-citizens-state-dept-issues-another-travel-advisory-466846" hreflang="en">‘Russia may single out and detain US citizens’: State Dept issues another travel advisory</a></strong></p>

<p>"Together with our Allies, we are reducing the Russian intelligence presence in the EU," the Czech foreign ministry tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today, the MFA informed the Russian Embassy in Prague that one of its diplomatic staff had been declared persona non grata and was requested to leave Czechia within 72 hours. Together with our Allies, we are reducing the Russian intelligence presence in the EU.</p>
— Czech MFA (@CzechMFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/CzechMFA/status/1508811502169513993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, while talking to AFP said that "Responses will be provided on the basis of the principle of reciprocity."</p>

<p>She did not provide further details.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">💬 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Zakharova?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Zakharova</a>: On March 29, the Netherlands declared 17 diplomats from the Russian Embassy in The Hague persona non grata.<br />
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❗️The responsibility for the implications of this arbitrary behaviour lies in full with the Dutch authorities.<br />
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🔗 <a href="https://t.co/UthU7PPKBB">https://t.co/UthU7PPKBB</a> <a href="https://t.co/biZehrVzHi">pic.twitter.com/biZehrVzHi</a></p>
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) <a href="https://twitter.com/mfa_russia/status/1508888573377974285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Russian foreign ministry criticized Hague's decision to expel Russian diplomats. It called it an "unfriendly step" and evidence that Hague had no interest "in maintaining normal diplomatic channels".</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine, allies remain cautious as Russia pledges to reduce attacks amid the Russian invasion</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-allies-remain-cautious-as-russia-pledges-to-reduce-attacks-amid-the-russian-invasion-466831/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>"The Dutch have outdone themselves in their desire to 'hit' the Russian embassy in a more painful way," the ministry added.</p>

<p>The expulsions announced Tuesday heightened Western blows directed at Russia following its invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Russia's economy has already been badly affected by several rounds of sanctions primarily imposed by the EU and the US.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A coordinated action taken in the shadow of Moscow's war in Ukraine has seen Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and the Czech Republic expel dozens of Russian diplomats suspected of spying.

A coordinated action taken in the shadow of Moscow's war in Ukraine has seen Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and the Czech Republic expel dozens of Russian diplomats suspected of spying. Russia said it would respond in kind. Belgium has expelled 21 diplomats from Russia's embassy in Brussels and consulate in Antwerp. They have two weeks to leave, said Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes. Also read | Scepticism greets Russian pledge to deescalate around Kyiv Her ministry said the move was made in coordination with the neighbouring Netherlands, whose foreign ministry had expelled 17 Russian diplomats considered "secretly active" as intelligence officers. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said four "senior officials" from the Russian embassy in Dublin were asked to leave for violating "international standards of diplomatic behaviour" -- which is code for spying. The Czech foreign ministry announced that a Russian diplomat had been given 72 hours to leave the embassy in Prague. The diplomat is believed to be Russia's deputy ambassador. Also read | ‘Russia may single out and detain US citizens’: State Dept issues another travel advisory "Together with our Allies, we are reducing the Russian intelligence presence in the EU," the Czech foreign ministry tweeted. Today, the MFA informed the Russian Embassy in Prague that one of its diplomatic staff had been declared persona non grata and was requested to leave Czechia within 72 hours. Together with our Allies, we are reducing the Russian intelligence presence in the EU. — Czech MFA (@CzechMFA) March 29, 2022 × Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, while talking to AFP said that "Responses will be provided on the basis of the principle of reciprocity." She did not provide further details. 💬 #Zakharova: On March 29, the Netherlands declared 17 diplomats from the Russian Embassy in The Hague persona non grata. ❗️The responsibility for the implications of this arbitrary behaviour lies in full with the Dutch authorities. 🔗 https://t.co/UthU7PPKBB pic.twitter.com/biZehrVzHi — MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) March 29, 2022 × Russian foreign ministry criticized Hague's decision to expel Russian diplomats. It called it an "unfriendly step" and evidence that Hague had no interest "in maintaining normal diplomatic channels". Watch | Ukraine, allies remain cautious as Russia pledges to reduce attacks amid the Russian invasion "The Dutch have outdone themselves in their desire to 'hit' the Russian embassy in a more painful way," the ministry added. The expulsions announced Tuesday heightened Western blows directed at Russia following its invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Russia's economy has already been badly affected by several rounds of sanctions primarily imposed by the EU and the US. (With inputs from agencies)

European nations up the ante, expel dozens of Russian diplomats for spying

<p>Amid the Ukraine war, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania announced they had expelled ten Russian diplomats.</p>

<p>Estonia's foreign ministry said the Russian diplomats had "directly and actively undermined Estonia's security and spread propaganda justifying Russia's military action."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/drone-warfare-in-ukraine-switchblade-buzzing-bee-drones-vs-russias-orlan-10-463449">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Drone warfare in Ukraine: Switchblade 'buzzing bee' drones vs Russia's Orlan-10</a></p>

<p>Lithuania expelled four Russian diplomats as foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said, "Russia's military attacks on civilians, civilian objects, hospitals, schools, maternity wards and cultural objects are war crimes and crimes against humanity."</p>

<p>Latvia's foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics said the three expelled Russian embassy officials were involved in "activities are contrary to their diplomatic status and taking into account ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine".</p>

<p>The decision has been coordinated with Lithuania and Estonia, the foreign minister added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Latvia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Latvia</a> expells three Russian Embassy employees in connection with activities that are contrary to their diplomatic status and taking into account ongoing Russian aggression in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a>. The decision has been coordinated with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lithuania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lithuania</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Estonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Estonia</a></p>
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) <a href="https://twitter.com/edgarsrinkevics/status/1504790139008135215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Watch: 'Firefighters in Kyiv working in volatile conditions'</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/state-emergency-service-firefighters-in-kyiv-working-in-volatile-conditions-463511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Bulgaria's foreign ministry also&nbsp;announced the expulsion of ten Russian diplomats over suspected espionage activities. Bulgaria had earlier expelled two Russian diplomats earlier this month.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraines-tochka-u-missile-can-it-stop-russian-attack-462852">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Ukraine's Tochka-U missile: Can it stop Russian attack?</a></p>

<p>Reports claimed on Thursday that Kosovo has requested President Biden to help in joining NATO.</p>

<p>President Vjosa Osmani in a letter said "Kosovo's membership in NATO has become imperative" amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti had earlier pressed for the country's entry into the EU and NATO.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>


Amid the Ukraine war, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania announced they had expelled ten Russian diplomats. Estonia's foreign ministry said the Russian diplomats had "directly and actively undermined Estonia's security and spread propaganda justifying Russia's military action.

Amid the Ukraine war, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania announced they had expelled ten Russian diplomats. Estonia's foreign ministry said the Russian diplomats had "directly and actively undermined Estonia's security and spread propaganda justifying Russia's military action." Also Read in Pics: Drone warfare in Ukraine: Switchblade 'buzzing bee' drones vs Russia's Orlan-10 Lithuania expelled four Russian diplomats as foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said, "Russia's military attacks on civilians, civilian objects, hospitals, schools, maternity wards and cultural objects are war crimes and crimes against humanity." Latvia's foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics said the three expelled Russian embassy officials were involved in "activities are contrary to their diplomatic status and taking into account ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine". The decision has been coordinated with Lithuania and Estonia, the foreign minister added. #Latvia expells three Russian Embassy employees in connection with activities that are contrary to their diplomatic status and taking into account ongoing Russian aggression in #Ukraine. The decision has been coordinated with #Lithuania and #Estonia — Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) March 18, 2022 × Watch: 'Firefighters in Kyiv working in volatile conditions' Bulgaria's foreign ministry also announced the expulsion of ten Russian diplomats over suspected espionage activities. Bulgaria had earlier expelled two Russian diplomats earlier this month. Also Read in Pics: Ukraine's Tochka-U missile: Can it stop Russian attack? Reports claimed on Thursday that Kosovo has requested President Biden to help in joining NATO. President Vjosa Osmani in a letter said "Kosovo's membership in NATO has become imperative" amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti had earlier pressed for the country's entry into the EU and NATO. (With inputs from Agencies)

'War crimes': Amid Ukraine war, Baltic states expel Russian diplomats

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European nations up the ante, expel dozens of Russian diplomats for spying

'War crimes': Amid Ukraine war, Baltic states expel Russian diplomats