Russian Foreign Ministry: Germany expels numerous Russian diplomats

Germany has decided to expel numerous Russian diplomats, Russia’s Foreign Ministry says.

“It is emblematic that the German side, despite its repeated assurances of its unwillingness to advertise this plot, violated them by informing media representatives about its idea, which it regularly does to organise “controlled leaks” and misinformation,” the Russian ministry said in its statement.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also decided to proceed with a reciprocal expulsion and to introduce a significant restriction on the maximum number of German diplomats in Russia. Geza Andreas von Geyr, Germany’s ambassador to Russia, was formally informed of this during a talk in Russia’s Foreign Ministry on 5 April.

Focus wrote on 25 March that Germany was going to expel over 30 Russian diplomats, suspecting them of recruiting German informers. However, a representative for the German Foreign Ministry did not confirm this.

“This measure is not to be implemented now in the shape it is presented in the article,” the agency stated.

Last April, Germany expelled 40 Russian diplomats. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that they were a threat to the freedom of German society and its unity. After that, Russia also expelled 40 German diplomats.

Russian diplomats were expelled from Germany after the suburbs of Kyiv were liberated from Russia’s troops when numerous dead bodies of civilians were found in Bucha and other settlements in the Kyiv region. Russia has repeatedly called the accusations of killing civilians in Bucha a “provocation” and a “fake”.