UK expels Russian diplomat in retaliation for Moscow’s recent expulsion of a British official

In response to Moscow’s recent expulsion of a British official and a smear campaign, the U.K. announced on Wednesday that it has expelled a Russian diplomat. Tensions between Russia and the West have been escalating, leading to this tit-for-tat action.

The British Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office summoned the Russian ambassador to inform him of the reciprocal action taken. The Foreign Office emphasized that harassment or intimidation of diplomatic staff will not be tolerated.

Last month, Russia expelled a British diplomat over spying allegations that the U.K. dismissed as baseless. The Federal Security Service of Russia accused the British diplomat of trying to obtain sensitive information about the Russian economy through unofficial meetings.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there have been multiple rounds of mutual expulsions of diplomats between Russia and NATO member states. This has resulted in diplomatic relations reaching their lowest point since the Cold War.