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Diplomatic expulsions during the Russo-Ukrainian War

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In the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War, many Russian diplomats and embassy officials were declared personae non gratae by countries around the world in 2022, and many foreign diplomats were also formally asked to leave Russia after their accreditation was cancelled.

Persona non grata means "an unwelcome person" in Latin. In the context of diplomacy or international relations, a persona non grata declaration on a foreign citizen, usually a diplomat who otherwise has a privilege of immunity, is barred from entering the country which issued the declaration.[1]

Russian diplomatic posts

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In 2018 Russia provided diplomatic cover in 145 countries with 242 diplomatic posts (embassies, consulates and trade missions).[2]

2022 invasion of Ukraine

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The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 resulted in an unprecedented reaction in diplomatic circles against Russian diplomats; over 200 were expelled by 5 April 2022, just days after the disclosure of the killing of civilians in the Bucha massacre.[3] The declared intention was to limit Russia's ability to destabilize the EU and NATO countries.[4]

The decisions came after a dramatic increase in Russian malign activities, including the 2018 Novichok poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, and a number of countries, were led by the United Kingdom, which expelled 16 diplomats, and the United States, which expelled 60 diplomats it claimed were intelligence officers.[5] Sixteen EU countries expelled 33 Russian diplomats on 26 March 2018.[6] Over 150 Russian diplomats were expelled in 2018.

The UK did not participate in the 2022 expulsions as it had already reduced the Russian embassy size in 2018 and reduced staffing at its embassy in Moscow. Canada and Australia gave similar reasons.[7]

Russia initially responded that these actions were short-sighted and would further complicate communications and inevitably lead to retaliation.[8] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, lamented in October 2022 that "There is neither point nor desire to maintain the previous presence in Western states. Our people work there in conditions that can hardly be called human," “Most importantly, there’s no work to do since Europe decided to shut off from us and sever any economic cooperation. You can’t force love."[9]

Within a year, around 600 diplomats from Russia would be expelled.

Details

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Russian diplomats expelled between February and May 2022 and retaliatory expulsions in March to May 2022 by Russia.

Country Diplomats expelled Background Ref. Response from Russia Ref.
 Austria 4 "acting in a manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status.” [10] 4 expelled [11]
 Belgium 21 For their involvement in espionage and activities threatening the country's security, [12] 21 expelled [13]
 Bulgaria 2 + 10 + 2 First Secretary plus others, some being accused of being involved in espionage [14] 1 expelled [15]
 Croatia 18 Due to Russia's military offensive against Ukraine [16] 5 expelled [17]
 Czech Republic 1 Russia's deputy ambassador [12] 1 expelled [18]
 Denmark 15 "intelligence officers" posing as diplomats [19] 4 expelled [20]
 Estonia 3 chargé d’affaires Sergey Nalobin and two attachés [21] 3 expelled [22]
 Finland 2ma In condemnation of Russia's aggressions against Ukraine. [23] 2 expelled [23]
 France 35 + 6 35 whose activities are against our security interests. 6 accused of being involvement in espionage [24] 34 expelled [24]
 Germany 40 In response to the discovery of apparent mass graves and executed civilians in Bucha, and seeking to end all trade relations with Russia. Russian diplomats have "worked every day here in Germany against our freedom" and "against the cohesion of our society.” [25][26] 40 expelled [27]
 Greece 12 personae non gratae [28] 8 expelled [29]
 Ireland 4 Activities deemed not "in accordance with international standards of diplomatic behavior” [12] 2 expelled [30]
 Italy 30 "national security" concerns [31] 24 expelled [24]
 Japan 8 Moscow must be held accountable for "war crimes" in Ukraine [4] 8 expelled [32]
 Latvia 3 Activities at odds with their diplomatic status [33] 3 expelled [22]
 Lithuania 4 "In solidarity with Ukraine." Including Russia's ambassador [34] 4 expelled [22]
 Luxembourg 1 In solidarity with EU states. [35] warning [36]
 Montenegro 1 National security agency's suggestion [37] 1 expelled [38]
 Netherlands 17 Intelligence officers masquerading as diplomats [12] 15 expelled [13]
 North Macedonia 5 + 6 Violated diplomatic norms [39][40] none
 Norway 3 Conducted activities that were incompatible with their diplomatic status. [28] 3 expelled [27]
 Poland 45 Identified as intelligence officers [12][31][41] 45 expelled [42]
 Portugal 10 Persona non grata [43] 5 expelled [44]
 Romania 10 "The repeated use by the Russian mission of inappropriate, offensive and provocative language directed at Romania and NATO is unacceptable” [15] 10 expelled [15]
 Slovakia 35 Expelled after several accusations of espionage [45] 3 expelled [46]
 Slovenia 33 "the strongest protest" against the killings of civilians by Russian forces in Bucha and other towns. [47] 4 expelled [48]
 Spain 25 Over Russia's "terrible actions" [31] 27 expelled [24]
 Sweden 3 For spying [19] 3 expelled [27]
 United States 12 UN diplomats accused of "espionage activities" at embassy [49] all over 3 years in Russia expelled [50]

Post June 2022

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Additional Russian diplomats were declared personae non gratae later in 2022, including 70 by Bulgaria, for espionage, and by Australia,[51] where a spy ring was uncovered, taking the total to nearly 600 by January 2023,[52] with additional tit-for tat removals of diplomats by Russia.

The operation of Russian embassies has become more difficult. Problems experienced include bank account access in the USA,[53] flights,[54] visas[55] and the downsizing of previously agreed staffing levels.

In September 2022 Montenegro expelled six Russian diplomats uncovered in an investigation into spying, Russia responded by closing their consulate in Podgorica, Montenegro, leaving just an honorary consul in Budva.[56]

In December 2022 diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Russia were downgraded to the level of acting Chargé d'affaires after the Russian ambassador was expelled and the Lithuanian ambassador recalled.[57]

In January 2023 Russia expelled the Estonian ambassador, resulting in Estonia expelling the Russian ambassador in their country and Latvia, in a show of solidarity, doing likewise to the Russian ambassador in Latvia, which provoked a similar response from Moscow regarding the Latvian ambassador.[58]

The Netherlands closed its consulate in St Petersburg in February 2023 and along with a number of countries limited the number of Russian Embassy staff to the same as their country's embassy in Moscow.[59]

By March 2023 8 Russian diplomats had been added to Serbia's total of accredited diplomats, a number of these had been expelled from other EU countries.[60]

Switzerland considers 1 in 3 of the 221 Russian diplomats are spies but did not expel any Russian diplomats in 2022 although one resigned because of his disagreement with Moscow.[61][62][63]

In April 2023 Norway reduced the number of Russian diplomats by expelling 15,[64] followed by Germany with mass expulsions, reputed to be 30, and reducing the number of authorised diplomats in the country [65] and closing four of the five Russian Consulates in Germany.

In June 2023 Iceland suspended its embassy in Moscow and asked Russia to reduce their embassy in Reykjavik until relations are normalised.[66] Finland expels 9 believed to be intelligence gathering.[67] Romania also told Russia to reduce its embassy staff by 51, because of vacancies, 40 diplomats and technical staff departed in early July.[68] Moldova then evicted 45 Russian diplomats, reducing the embassy to 25, the same as the Moldovan embassy in Moscow.[69]

Australia passed laws to cancel a lease in June 2023 to block Russia building a new Embassy within 400m of the Australian parliament building, citing concerns of spying.[70]

Effect of expulsions

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Kremlin intelligence agencies have suffered a major blow as a result of the expulsion of intelligence agents who had been working in embassies.[71] The head of Britain’s MI6 foreign intelligence service believed that roughly half of Russia’s spies in Europe, working under diplomatic cover, were expelled by July 2022.[72] Ken McCallum, the director general of Britain's MI5, said in November 2022 in an annual speech outlining threats to the United Kingdom that this year 400 of the 600 Russians officials that had been expelled from Europe, were judged by his agency to be spies.[73]

Finland believes, after a year, that it has its espionage issues under control after the expulsion of Russian diplomats and the refusal to issue visas.[74] On the other hand those countries who have not expelled many Russian's including Austria, with 180 Russian diplomats and Switzerland with 220, are very active spy centres. of course, it is worth bearing in mind that this is speculation and has not been empirically proven.[75][76]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Persona non grata for beginners". The Filipino Times. 29 April 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  2. ^ Oliver, Alex (30 March 2018). "Russian spy: How big is the Kremlin's diplomatic network?". BBC.
  3. ^ Connolly, Kate (5 April 2022). "EU allies expel 200 Russian diplomats in two days after Bucha killings". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b Gabidullina, Roksana; Morcos, Pierre (19 May 2022). "Curtailing Russia: Diplomatic Expulsions and the War in Ukraine". Center for Strategic and International Studies.
  5. ^ Statement from the Press Secretary on the Expulsion of Russian Intelligence Officers The White House, 26 March 2018.
  6. ^ Borger, Julian; Wintour, Patrick; Stewart, Heather (26 March 2018). "US and EU expel scores of Russian diplomats over Skripal attack". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  7. ^ Wintour, Patrick (7 April 2022). "Britain, Canada and Australia decline so far to expel Russian diplomats". The Guardian.
  8. ^ "EU countries expel dozens of Russian diplomats". Al Jazeera. 5 April 2022.
  9. ^ "No point for Russia to maintain previous diplomatic presence in the West, Lavrov says". 18 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Austria Expels Four Russian Diplomats". Kyiv Post. 2 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Russia Expels Dutch, Austrian, Belgian Diplomats". 19 April 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d e "European countries expel dozens of Russian envoy". Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  13. ^ a b Time, Current (19 April 2022). "Russia Expels 36 Belgian, Dutch Diplomats In Tit-For-Tat Move". Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty.
  14. ^ "Bulgaria expels First Secretary of Russian embassy following espionage allegations". 2 April 2022.
  15. ^ a b c "Russia expels Romanian, Bulgarian diplomats in tit-for-tat move". 13 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Croatia: Authorities order departure of 18 Russian diplomats and six embassy staffers as of April 11 due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine". 11 April 2022.
  17. ^ "Russia Expels Five Croatian Diplomats Over 'Unfriendly Actions'". Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty. 27 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Russian secret services tried to hire Czech diplomats". www.euractiv.com. 19 April 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Oslo expels three diplomates from Russian Embassy". 6 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Russia expels Danish diplomats in retaliatory move". Reuters. 2 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Estonia Expels a Colorful Russian Diplomat". 6 April 2022.
  22. ^ a b c "Russia expels 10 diplomats from Baltic states in tit-for-tat move". Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Moscow Expels Two Finnish Diplomats In Tit-For-Tat Move". Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty. 17 May 2022.
  24. ^ a b c d "Russia expels French diplomats, illustrating the dead end of Macron-Putin dialog". Le Monde. 19 May 2022.
  25. ^ "Germany expels Russian diplomats after Bucha". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  26. ^ "Germany expels 40 Russian diplomats in response to massacre in Ukraine". 4 April 2022.
  27. ^ a b c "Moscow expels Nordic diplomats". 27 April 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Greece, Norway order expulsion of Russian envoys amid Ukraine war". 6 April 2022.
  29. ^ "Eight Greek Diplomats expelled from Russia in tit-for-tat response". 28 June 2022.
  30. ^ "Two Irish diplomats expelled from Moscow". The Irish Times. 7 April 2022.
  31. ^ a b c "Over 330 Russian diplomats expelled from Europe since Russia-Ukraine war started". 6 April 2022.
  32. ^ "Russia expels eight Japanese diplomats in tit-for-tat move". 27 April 2022.
  33. ^ "Latvia expels three Russian diplomats". 18 March 2022.
  34. ^ "Lithuania expels Russian embassy employee". 1 December 2022.
  35. ^ "Russia Retaliates Against Europe With Mass Expulsions". 19 April 2022.
  36. ^ "Russia Retaliates Against Europe With Mass Expulsions". 19 April 2022.
  37. ^ "Montenegro Expels Russian Diplomat, Citing 'Security Agency Advice'". 4 March 2022.
  38. ^ "Russia expels diplomat from Montenegro in response to similar measure". 24 March 2022.
  39. ^ "North Macedonia orders expulsion of five Russian diplomats". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  40. ^ "North Macedonia expels 6 more Russian diplomats". 15 April 2022.
  41. ^ "Warsaw's secret war against Moscow's spies: Poland's intelligence services have gone into overdrive to combat Putin's covert assault". 21 March 2023.
  42. ^ "Russia expels 45 Polish diplomats". 8 April 2022.
  43. ^ "Portugal orders expulsion of ten Russian embassy staff". 6 April 2022.
  44. ^ "Russia expels five Portuguese diplomats in retaliatory move". 20 May 2022.
  45. ^ "Slovakia expels 35 Russian diplomats accused of espionage". 31 March 2022.
  46. ^ "Russia expels three Slovakian diplomats in retaliatory move". 28 March 2023.
  47. ^ "Slovenia expels 33 Russian diplomats". 6 April 2022.
  48. ^ "Russia asks Slovenia to reduce diplomatic staff in Moscow". 19 May 2022.
  49. ^ "US is expelling 12 Russian UN diplomats". 28 February 2022.
  50. ^ "Kremlin Retaliates, Tells Some U.S. Diplomats They're Not Wanted in Russia". Newsweek. 23 March 2022.
  51. ^ "Australia quietly expels major Russian spy ring, report says". ABC News. 24 February 2023.
  52. ^ "Nearly 600 Russian diplomats expelled from Western countries since February 2022". 26 January 2023.
  53. ^ "Russia's U.S. Ambassador Decries Banking 'Blockade'". 25 April 2022.
  54. ^ "Russia's Lavrov forced to cancel Serbia visit after neighboring countries close airspace". 6 June 2022.
  55. ^ Nichols, Michelle (2 September 2022). "Russia says no U.S. visas yet for Lavrov visit to United Nations". Reuters.
  56. ^ "Six Russian Diplomats Expelled From Montenegro Amid Espionage Probe". Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty. 30 September 2022.
  57. ^ "Russia expels employee of Lithuanian embassy in Moscow". 28 December 2022.
  58. ^ "Russia orders Estonian ambassador to leave country". BBC News. 23 January 2023.
  59. ^ "The Netherlands expel Russian diplomats, close trade mission". Deutsche Welle. 18 February 2023.
  60. ^ "Spy hideout: where do expelled Russian diplomats resurface?". 14 March 2023.
  61. ^ "Russian diplomat in Switzerland resigns over invasion of Ukraine". 24 May 2022.
  62. ^ "Bern residents rail against Russian diplomats". 9 January 2023.
  63. ^ Roth, Jonas (29 June 2022). ""The embassy serves as a logistics base" – how Russian spies operate in Switzerland". Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
  64. ^ "Norway expels 15 Russian diplomats suspected of spying". Associated Press. 13 April 2023.
  65. ^ "Diplomacy: Germany expels "masses" of Russian diplomats". 22 April 2023.
  66. ^ "Russia says Iceland 'destroys' ties by suspending embassy operations". 10 June 2023.
  67. ^ "Finland expels nine Russian diplomats for intelligence a". 6 June 2023.
  68. ^ "Romania informs Russia it must cut 51 embassy positions in Bucharest". Associated Press. 8 June 2023.
  69. ^ "Moldova expels 45 Russian diplomatic staff in spy row". BBC News. 27 July 2023.
  70. ^ "Russia loses bid to hold onto embassy site near Australia parliament". BBC News. 26 June 2023.
  71. ^ "Expulsion of Russian spies in Europe deals strategic blow to Kremlin intelligence". 23 November 2022.
  72. ^ "Before arresting a U.S. reporter, Russia suffered setbacks with suspected spies unmasked by Western governments". NBC News. 31 March 2023.
  73. ^ "Russian spying in Europe dealt 'significant blow' since Ukraine war, MI5 chief says". 16 November 2022.
  74. ^ "Supo: Russian espionage in Finland significantly weakened". 31 March 2023.
  75. ^ "Russian spies in Austria – Vienna again became the center of enemy intelligence, writes FT – Ukrainian news, World". 14 July 2023.
  76. ^ "One third of Russian diplomats in Switzerland could be spies". 1 July 2023.
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