On Friday, it was reported that Russia has revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage against Moscow.
This latest geopolitical escalation was highlighted by Russian state media, coinciding with discussions in London and Washington, DC, about potentially permitting Ukraine to strike targets within Russia.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia claimed, without presenting evidence, that it had identified “signs of intelligence and subversive work” by the diplomats, asserting that their actions were a “threat to the security of the Russian Federation.”
Britain later clarified that the expulsion had occurred last month and dismissed the accusations as “completely baseless.” The diplomats had already left Russia several weeks prior, and the British government is in the process of replacing them.
This development came just hours after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Washington, DC, for talks with US President Joe Biden regarding the potential easing of restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western weapons to strike Russian territory.
Russian state media further claimed that the British Foreign Office had become focused on achieving a “strategic defeat” of Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Foreign Office responded on Friday, stating that the expulsions were a reaction to new measures implemented by Britain’s previous government in May.
During that month, Rishi Sunak’s administration had summoned the Russian ambassador and expelled the Russian defense attaché, labeling him an “undeclared military intelligence officer.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin
“The accusations made today by the FSB against our staff are completely baseless,” the British Foreign Office said in a statement. “We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests.”
The timing of the revelation about the expulsions appeared deliberate, aligning with Starmer’s meeting with Biden, which followed a visit by Britain’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, to Kyiv. During this visit, Lammy and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky’s government has been urging both Britain and the US to permit the Ukrainian military to use long-range Western weapons to target deep into Russian territory, particularly after Kyiv’s unexpected incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk.
President Biden has shown some willingness to consider allowing Ukraine to use Western-provided missiles against targets deep within Russia.
However, US officials indicated that Biden may not immediately approve the use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) provided by the US for targets far from the Ukrainian border. The discussion also includes whether the US might approve the use of similar systems supplied by Britain and France.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned NATO leaders on Thursday that lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s missile strikes would be viewed as an act of war.
“This would mean that NATO countries – the United States and European countries – are at war with Russia. If this is the case, we will make appropriate decisions in response to the threats posed to us,” Putin told reporters.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Britain and Russia have exchanged diplomatic measures and sanctions, with Moscow frequently implementing reciprocal actions at significant moments in the conflict. In the past two years, Russia has banned several British lawmakers, officials, and journalists from entering its territory.
