The UK government has revoked the accreditation of a Russian diplomat in a retaliatory move following Moscow's expulsion of a British official last year.
The action comes in direct response to Russia's “unprovoked and baseless” decision to strip a British diplomat of their accreditation in November.
The Foreign Office made clear its position on intimidation, stating: "The UK will not stand for intimidation of our staff in this way and so we are taking reciprocal action."
TASS, the Russian state news agency, said in November that he had been expelled for "intentionally providing false information when entering the Russian Federation".
It said evidence had been found that the diplomat was involved in "reconnaissance and subversive work that threatens the security of the Russian Federation".
On Thursday, the Foreign Office summoned Russian ambassador Andrei Kelin for a meeting with a senior British official to inform him of the decision, warning that any further action by Moscow would be considered “an escalation and responded to accordingly.”
Shortly after the announcement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy posted on X: "We've stripped a Russian diplomat's accreditation, following Russia's recent expulsion of a British diplomat.
"We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests.
"My message to Russia is clear - if you take action against us, we will respond."
In May last year, the UK expelled Russia's defence attache in London, Colonel Maxim Elovik, claiming he was an "undeclared military intelligence officer".
The government also removed diplomatic status from several Russian-owned premises and placed restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas.
In response, Russia expelled Britain's defence attache in Moscow, Captain Adrian Coghill.
Britain’s King Charles will travel to Ottawa for the state opening of Parliament, highlighting continued ties with Canada, where he remains head of state.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
Five men have been arrested in the UK, including four Iranian nationals, over an alleged terrorist plot.
Britain’s Prince Harry says he is deeply disappointed after a UK court upheld the decision to deny him full police protection.
Political directors from France, Britain, and Germany are scheduled to meet with Iranian officials in Rome on Friday, according to two diplomatic sources who confirmed the meeting to Reuters.
A local dive team has solved a nearly 140-year-old maritime mystery by identifying the wreck of the SS Nantes off the coast of Devon.
India’s central bank made a bigger-than-expected interest rate cut, lowering the repo rate by half a percent to 5.5%, the lowest level in three years.
Twenty-two crew members were safely rescued after a cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric cars, caught fire in the North Pacific near Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.
More than 40 suspects have been arrested in a massive international police operation targeting a drug gang accused of smuggling cocaine into Europe using high-speed “narco-boats.”
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone Friday, their first conversation since Lee’s election earlier this week.
As peace talks progress, voices from Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku reveal hopes, concerns, and expectations for a future shaped by trade, trust, and generational change in the South Caucasus.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture early Monday, causing no reported injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, officials confirmed.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine ended abruptly in Istanbul on Monday, lasting just over an hour amid mounting tensions following a major Ukrainian drone strike on Russian strategic bombers and renewed pressure from the U.S. for a breakthrough.
David Beckham is set to receive a knighthood in the upcoming king’s birthday honours list, recognising his outstanding contributions to football and his charitable work.
]The third annual AI Film Festival opened Thursday night in New York, offering a glimpse into what artificial intelligence can now do on the big screen.
A local dive team has solved a nearly 140-year-old maritime mystery by identifying the wreck of the SS Nantes off the coast of Devon.
India’s central bank made a bigger-than-expected interest rate cut, lowering the repo rate by half a percent to 5.5%, the lowest level in three years.
Twenty-two crew members were safely rescued after a cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric cars, caught fire in the North Pacific near Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.
A local dive team has solved a nearly 140-year-old maritime mystery by identifying the wreck of the SS Nantes off the coast of Devon.
India’s central bank made a bigger-than-expected interest rate cut, lowering the repo rate by half a percent to 5.5%, the lowest level in three years.
Twenty-two crew members were safely rescued after a cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric cars, caught fire in the North Pacific near Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.
More than 40 suspects have been arrested in a massive international police operation targeting a drug gang accused of smuggling cocaine into Europe using high-speed “narco-boats.”
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone Friday, their first conversation since Lee’s election earlier this week.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment