MOSCOW, Russia – Russia announced on Friday, September 13, 2024, that it has expelled six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage, in the latest escalation of East-West tensions.
Moscow described the move as a response to alleged intelligence-gathering activities, but the United Kingdom quickly dismissed it as “completely baseless.”
The Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed that the diplomats were linked to a division of the U.K.’s Foreign Office tasked with “inflicting a strategic defeat” on Russia.
According to the FSB, the diplomats had been involved in “subversive activities,” including meetings with independent media and rights groups that have been labeled as “foreign agents” by Russian authorities.
Diplomatic Retaliation
The U.K. Foreign Office said that the expulsions were linked to Britain’s actions in May when it revoked the credentials of a Russian attaché in London and imposed a five-year limit on all Russian diplomats working in the U.K.
In May, the U.K. also expelled Russia’s defense attaché, alleging the individual was an undeclared intelligence officer, and closed several Russian diplomatic properties suspected of being used for espionage.
“The Russian authorities revoked the diplomatic accreditation of six U.K. diplomats in Russia last month, following action taken by the U.K. government in response to Russian state-directed activity across Europe and in the U.K.,” the Foreign Office said.
“We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests.”
Despite the diplomatic friction, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that breaking off relations with the U.K. was not being considered “right now.”
Growing Diplomatic Expulsions
Diplomatic expulsions have become increasingly common since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russian media reported last year that Western countries, along with Japan, had expelled a total of 670 Russian diplomats between the start of 2022 and October 2023, while Moscow retaliated by expelling 346 diplomats in that period.
The heightened tensions come as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Washington for talks, including discussions on Ukraine’s request to use Western-supplied long-range weapons against targets inside Russia.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has warned that such actions by Ukraine could bring NATO into direct conflict with Moscow.
Speaking to reporters en route to the U.S., Starmer reiterated that Britain does not seek conflict with Russia, emphasizing that Ukraine’s defense is central to British support.
“Russia started this conflict. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia could end this conflict straight away,” Starmer said.
Ukraine’s Request for Long-Range Weapons
Ukraine has renewed calls to use Western-provided long-range missiles against targets deeper inside Russia, an issue expected to be discussed during Starmer’s meeting with President Joe Biden.
Although U.S. officials suggested that an immediate policy shift was unlikely, Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that the U.S. was open to adapting its support as Russia’s battlefield strategy evolves.
The expulsion of British diplomats and the increasing strain between Russia and the West continue to highlight the deepening geopolitical divide amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
