Breaking out the ‘battle’ of expelling diplomats

The President of Ukraine speaks on television. Photo: AP

Poland’s Internal Security Service and ABW Counterintelligence Service will call on the country’s Foreign Ministry to expel 45 Russian diplomats. The head of the Internal Security Service, Krzystof Waclawek, asked the Polish Foreign Ministry to declare the diplomats “unwelcome”.

The Russian foreign ministry confirmed that the country’s Ambassador to Poland, Sergey Andreev, was summoned by the Polish Foreign Ministry. Andreev confirmed that he had received a note with the names of 45 Russian diplomats who had to leave Poland within 5 days. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow will respond to the expulsion with corresponding action.

Also today (March 23), Russia’s ally Belarus announced the expulsion of Ukrainian diplomats and the closure of a Ukrainian consulate.

Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatoly Glaz did not specify how many Ukrainian diplomats would have to leave, but said a maximum of five Ukrainian diplomats could stay, AP news agency quoted Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatoly Glaz as saying. “This step is aimed at ending the non-diplomatic activities of some employees of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission,” Glaz said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic today accused the West of applying double standards.

Speaking on television, the leader said: “If the West is so brave and virtuous, why not launch an attack on Russia, why not defend Ukraine. Morality is an important category. in politics, but you can’t remember it today and forget it the next day.”

Serbia is the only European country that refuses to join international sanctions against the Kremlin.

In another development, Ukrainian President Zelensky today urged Japan and other Asian countries to step up sanctions against Russia.

Russia’s parliament today passed a law extending veterans’ status to participating forces Special operations in Ukraine. Veterans status offers a variety of benefits, such as a monthly salary, tax breaks, discounts on utilities, and medical treatment.

Hoai Linh