Germany, France and Poland warn Russia of consequences after diplomats’ expulsion

Russia on Friday expelled diplomats from three European countries for taking part in protests in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. This decision comes after EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell visited Moscow.

Russia said it had declared diplomats from Poland, Germany and Sweden persona non grata for participating in “illegal protests” on January 23 in support of Navalny, AFP reported.

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This is how each of those countries reacted.

Poland said the diplomat’s expulsion from Russia will hurt ties and would deepen the “crisis” in bilateral ties. The Polish foreign ministry said it had summoned Russia’s ambassador to Warsaw after Russia said it was expelling diplomats from Poland

Russia’s ambassador was informed “that the Polish diplomat in question performed her duties resulting from the diplomatic status in accordance with the Vienna Convention.”

Germany, on the other hand, warned of consequences. Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the move and said the expulsion was “unjustified”.

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“We consider these expulsions to be unjustified. We believe it is yet another aspect that can be observed right now of Russia being quite far from the rule of law,” AFP quoted Merkel as sayin.

Sweden blasted Moscow’s decision and said they were “completely unfounded”, rejecting Russia’s claim the envoy had joined unauthorised demonstrations in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

“The ministry considers this as completely unfounded, which we have also told our Russian counterpart”, the Swedish foreign ministry said in written remarks to AFP, adding that it “reserves the right to an appropriate response”.

Russian police have arrested more than 10,000 people at mass demonstrations across the country where protesters denounced Kremlin rule and demanded the authorities release Navalny.