“Together with the Allies, we are reducing Russia’s intelligence presence in the EU,” Czech diplomacy said. One diplomatic from the Russian embassy was declared undesirable. He must leave the Czech Republic within 72 hours. On Twitter announced by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Deník N and Respekt, the undesirable person from the Russian embassy that the Czechia is expelling is Deputy Ambassador Feodosiy Vladyshevsky.
Belgium expels 21 Russian diplomats, accuses them of espionage and considers them a threat to the country’s security. The Belgian Foreign Ministry confirmed this to Reuters. They all work at the embassy in Brussels or at the consulate in Antwerp. He must leave the country within 15 days, stated on Twitter Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès.
“This decision is not a sanction, it is only about national security. Diplomatic ties with Russia remain open, the Russian embassy can continue to operate and we continue to support dialogue, “Wilmès, quoted by Sud Info, commented on the decision.
The Netherlands expels 17 employees of the Russian embassy, considers them as intelligence officers and a threat to the country’s security. On Twitter this was announced by Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra. The government decided on the basis of information from the civil and military intelligence and security services.
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Other countries proceeded similarly in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Netherlands coordinated its move with them, Minister Hoekstra said.
The Irish Foreign Office also summoned the Russian ambassador on Tuesday and recommended the departure of four high-ranking Russian diplomats because of their behavior, which, according to Dublin, contradicts the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
But Ireland and Russia should continue to maintain diplomatic relations, according to a statement published on Twitter by Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney. In the same text, he also condemned “the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which we consider to be a serious violation of international law.”
Ten Russian embassies declared the Baltic states undesirable this month, and Russia reacted reciprocally. Along with the Baltic states, ten Russian diplomats also expelled Bulgaria, and in the meantime Poland expelled 45 deported Russian embassy staff. Moscow has promised to respond to these steps.
Peskov: The war in Ukraine is not a reason to use nuclear weapons
Kremlin spokesman Peskov claims that Russia will use nuclear weapons only if its own existence is threatened. “Any result of the operation (in Ukraine) is of course not a reason to use a nuclear weapon,” he told the US public station PBS. “We have a security concept that clearly states that only in the event of a threat to the existence of the state, in our country, can we use and actually use nuclear weapons to eliminate the threat to the existence of our country.”
Peskov repeatedly refused last week to rule out that Russia might consider using nuclear weapons against what Moscow saw as an “existential threat.” Asked under what conditions Putin would deploy nuclear forces, Peskov, as now, replied that nuclear weapons could be used if the country’s existence was threatened.
Moscow has mentioned nuclear weapons several times during the war against Ukraine. On February 27, Putin himself ordered nuclear forces to be placed in a “special regime” for combat readiness, citing “aggressive statements” by NATO leaders and “illegitimate” sanctions imposed by the West on Russia in response to the invasion. US President Joe Biden warned last week that the United States would respond if Russia used nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Peskov also commented on the possibility of stopping Russian gas supplies if the European Union refused to pay for it in rubles. “No payment – no gas,” he told American television. According to him, Moscow will wait for the final answer of the 27 and then determine the next steps. “By no means do we intend to act as a charity and provide gas to Western Europe for free.”
Kremlin chief Putin said last week that Moscow would demand gas payments in rubles from so-called “non-friendly countries.” The economically developed G7 countries, which should be covered by the measure, rejected Russia’s request on Monday, saying it was a unilateral breach of contract.
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Zelensky wants to tighten sanctions
In a speech to the Danish parliament on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his call for tougher anti-Russian sanctions, including blocking trade, stopping Russian oil purchases and closing ports for Russian ships.
Zelensky said that “the brutality of the conflict in Ukraine is greater than what we witnessed during World War II.” He recalled the situation in the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which is surrounded by the Russian army and is facing constant bombing. According to the President of Ukraine, about a hundred thousand people still remain imprisoned in the city.
Zelensky has also recently made similar speeches to legislators in the United States, Britain, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Israel, Japan and the European Union. His speech to the Norwegian parliament is expected on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian president also thanked Czech Prime Minister Petr Fial (ODS) on Tuesday for the support his country received from the Czech Republic. He said this on Twitter, mentioning humanitarian and security aid, as well as aid to Ukrainian refugees. “We really appreciate it!” Reads his account.
