A Russian diplomat has been expelled from the United Kingdom, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing diplomatic tensions following Moscow’s expulsion of a British official last year.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that this action was taken “in response to Russia’s recent expulsion of a British diplomat” in November.
Moscow justified its decision by alleging that the diplomat had engaged in espionage and provided false information. The UK government emphasized that it “will not tolerate intimidation of our personnel” and warned that “any further actions by Russia will be viewed as an escalation and will be met with an appropriate response.”
Andrey Kelin, Russia’s ambassador to the UK since 2019, was summoned to the Foreign Office to be informed that one of his diplomats would have their accreditation revoked. Accreditation serves as official recognition of a diplomat’s status and grants them specific immunities based on their rank.
“We are resolute in defending our national interests,” Lammy stated. “My message to Russia is unequivocal—if you take action against us, we will respond.”
In a statement to the state-owned Tass news agency, the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated its intention to retaliate against the expulsion.
In November, Moscow had revoked the accreditation of the British diplomat, accusing them of espionage and ordering their departure from the country within a two-week timeframe. Russian state media reported that the FSB, the country’s security service, had accused the diplomat of submitting false information in their documents and engaging in espionage activities.
His image and name were also broadcast on Russian television news segments. At that time, the Foreign Office characterized Russia’s claims as “unfounded” and indicated that it was contemplating a response.
Russia had previously stated its intention to take additional measures if the UK reacted to its own expulsion. Diplomatic relations between the UK and Russia have deteriorated since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Since that event, the expulsion of diplomats has become increasingly frequent. In September of the previous year, Russia announced the revocation of accreditation for six British diplomats in Moscow, necessitating their departure from the country.
In May, British diplomat Capt Adrian Coghill was given a week to exit Russia, shortly after the Russian defense attaché was expelled from London on charges of espionage as an “undeclared military intelligence officer.”
Numerous British politicians and media representatives have also been prohibited from entering Russia since the onset of the war, including high-ranking government officials and journalists from the BBC, Sky News, and Channel 4.
Most recently, 30 additional individuals, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and other Labour cabinet members, were added to Russia’s “stop list.”
Lammy and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were included on the list in 2022, along with the current Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
About The Author
