Moscow –
Russia announced the expulsion of seven members of the Embassy Denmark in its territory. The expulsion was known as a retaliatory action following the expulsion of 15 Russian diplomats from Denmark and Danish military aid to Ukraine.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Danish Ambassador Carsten Sondergaard to inform him of the expulsion. The seven members of the Danish Embassy have two weeks to leave Russia immediately.
“The kingdom’s anti-Russian policies are openly causing serious damage to bilateral relations,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in Moscow in a statement.
“Russia reserves the right to take additional steps in response to Copenhagen’s hostile actions,” the statement said, adding that a diplomat from the Danish mission was also denied a visa as part of retaliatory measures.
The Danish Foreign Ministry said Russia expelled seven members of its diplomatic mission including four diplomats.
In a statement to AFP, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod called the move a completely unjustifiable and very problematic decision.
“Russia no longer wants real dialogue and diplomacy,” said Kofod, noting that Denmark had actually expelled Russian intelligence agents and not diplomats.
Since President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, the West has expelled dozens of Russian diplomats and Russia has retaliated with similar measures, expulsions.
(fas/fas)
–
