Russia has expelled "more than 20" German diplomats as a retaliatory measure for the "mass expulsion" of Russian Embassy staff from Berlin. The announcement was made by Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, who also accused Germany of "continuing to demonstratively destroy the entire range of Russia-Germany relations." This move is expected to further escalate tensions between the two countries.
The German Foreign Ministry acknowledged the Russian statements and said that the German government and Russian side had been in contact regarding personnel matters in their respective representations abroad. It added that "today's flight is part of that process," without explicitly mentioning any expulsions.
Moscow's decision to expel German diplomats comes after Germany expelled several Russian Embassy staff last month, citing Moscow's alleged involvement in a deadly 2019 bombing in Berlin. Russia denied the allegations and called Germany's move "unfriendly" and "unjustified."
As part of the retaliatory measures, Moscow will also limit the maximum number of employees in German diplomatic missions in the country. The German Ambassador to Russia, Geza Andreas von Geyr, was informed of the measures on April 5.
The expulsion of diplomats and limitations on embassy staff are not uncommon measures taken by countries in response to diplomatic disputes. However, the recent escalation of tensions between Russia and Germany, as well as other Western countries, highlights the fragile state of international relations. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, accusations of election interference, and the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny have all contributed to strained ties between Russia and the West.
As these tensions continue to simmer, it remains to be seen how countries will navigate these diplomatic disputes without further exacerbating the situation.
