Germany Mass Expels Russian Diplomats Operating in the Country

The German Foreign Ministry has confirmed the news of the expulsion of Russian diplomats. This was reported by the German n-tv television channel, citing the ministry.

“Indeed, in recent weeks the federal government has been in negotiations with the Russian side regarding the presence of their representatives (referring to Russian intelligence – ed.) abroad, with the aim of reducing their numbers in Germany,” the German Foreign Ministry announced.

Officials added that the recent departure of staff from the Russian embassy was related to this issue. The diplomats were aboard a Russian special aircraft (the Russian government’s Il-96-300 – ed.), which had flown from Moscow to Berlin on Saturday. N-tv notes that the aircraft returned to Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport later in the day.

A representative of the German air force informed Deutsche Presse-Agentur that the aircraft had what is referred to as diplomatic clearance. No details were provided regarding the cargo or the passengers.

On the same day, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Germany had “decided to mass expel” Russian diplomats operating in the country. In response, the Russian side decided to also expel German diplomats and significantly reduce the maximum number of German diplomatic representatives in Russia.

The Ambassador of Germany to Russia had been notified of the Russian side’s decision as early as April 5.