Russia accused two British diplomats of espionage on Monday, ordering their departure within two weeks, as diplomatic ties with Europe decline while discussions proceed to mend relations with the United States. The Foreign Office of Britain refuted the allegations as "baseless."
Moscow's frustration stemmed from Britain's ongoing military aid to Ukraine and statements by Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggesting potential British military involvement in a peacekeeping role. These expulsions followed reports of three Bulgarians facing charges in a London court for spying on behalf of a Russian unit led by fugitive Jan Marsalek of Wirecard.
These recent expulsions mark the first of Western diplomats from Russia since negotiations began between Moscow and Washington to replenish staff levels at their embassies, depleted by retaliatory oustings during Donald Trump's diplomatic efforts with the Kremlin.
The diminished staffing levels resulting from expulsions have severely impacted the operations of Russian embassies in the West and Western missions in Russia since President Vladimir Putin deployed troops to Ukraine in 2022.
Regarding the expelled British diplomats, Russia’s Federal Security Service alleged that they provided false information to enter the country and engaged in intelligence and subversive activities detrimental to Russian security.
Britain's Foreign Office responded to Moscow's actions, condemning them as part of a pattern of unfounded accusations by Russia. Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned a British embassy official to express discontent over the expulsions, claiming the diplomats were undisclosed intelligence operatives, a claim Britain rejected.
The Russian government cautioned of reciprocal measures if the situation escalates further. Additionally, in February, Russian authorities initiated a criminal inquiry into an alleged assault on a journalist by an individual purportedly linked to the British embassy, a claim dismissed by London as an attempt to intimidate genuine diplomatic staff.
Previously, in response to Russia's expulsion of a British diplomat last November, Britain also expelled a Russian diplomat, exacerbating the already strained relationship between the two countries due to their involvement in the Ukraine conflict, with Britain backing sanctions against Russia and providing military support to Ukraine.