Russia Expels 3 Diplomats

Moscow/Prague, March 30 (CTK) – Moscow branded three Czech diplomats in Russia personae non gratae today and set April 5 as the deadline for them to leave Russia, a step the Czech Foreign Ministry subsequently called expectable and said it has taken note of it.

 

By its decision, Moscow reciprocates the expulsion of three Russian diplomats by Prague earlier this week.

 

“The Czech charge d’affaires was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry this afternoon. Moscow handed a note to him that labels three Czech diplomacy representatives personae non gratae, and so they, together with their families, have to leave the Russian Federation by April 5 at the latest,” Czech Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Michaela Lagronova said.

 

Since the departure of Vladimir Remek, the so far last ambassador whose mission in Russia ended on January 31, the embassy in Moscow has been temporarily led by charge d’affaires Petr Krouzek.

 

The expulsion of Czech diplomats is a part of a series of similar steps with which Russia reacts to the expulsion of more than 150 diplomats from about 30 countries this week.

 

The coordinated expulsions of Russian diplomats were a step of allies’ solidarity with Britain where a nerve poison attack was made on former Russian agent Sergei Skripal in southern England about a month ago.

 

London blames the attack on Moscow, which has rejected the accusation.