Netherlands and 3 Other European Countries Expel Russian Diplomats in Bulk... "Expelled for Espionage"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Four European countries?Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, and the Czech Republic?have decided to expel a large number of Russian diplomats from their countries, citing espionage activities. The Russian side immediately protested and hinted at retaliatory measures.

According to CNN on the 29th (local time), the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release, "Today, we summoned the Russian ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notify him of the expulsion," adding, "We have received intelligence that Russian individuals with diplomatic status are conducting espionage activities."

On the same day, the Irish government also announced that it requested four senior officials at the Russian embassy in the country to leave. The Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained in a statement, "Four senior officials were asked to leave (Ireland)," and "They engaged in actions inconsistent with international diplomatic conduct standards."

The Belgian government also announced its decision to expel 21 Russian diplomats who were involved in spying or threatened national security. The expelled individuals were Russian diplomats affiliated with the Moscow embassy in Brussels and the consulate in Antwerp, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that they either participated in espionage activities or were aware of such activities.

Sophie Wilm?s, Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in parliament that day, "The expulsion decision is not a sanction but related to national security," adding, "Diplomatic channels with Russia remain open. The Russian embassy can continue to operate, and we continue to support dialogue."

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced on the same day that it decided to expel one staff member of the Russian embassy in Prague. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "One Russian diplomat was requested to leave the Czech Republic within 72 hours," and "We are reducing Russian intelligence agents within the European Union (EU) together with our allies."

The Russian side immediately protested. According to the Russian state-run TASS news agency, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that day, "We will respond to the expulsion of many Russian diplomats from Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic," criticizing, "We demanded that they present evidence of illegal acts by Russian diplomats, but they did not provide any evidence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.