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Lithuania expels two Russian diplomats in move of solidarity with Czech Republic

The Lithuanian Embassy in Moscow expressed its readiness to assist the Czech one with diplomatic functions, complicated by Moscow’s expulsion of Czech embassy employees

Russian Embassy in Lithuania EPA-EFE/VALDA KALNINA

Russian Embassy in Lithuania

© EPA-EFE/VALDA KALNINA

VILNIUS, April 23. /TASS/. Lithuania expelled two Russian diplomats in a move of solidarity with the Czech Republic, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told journalists Friday.

"A Russian Embassy representative was summoned to the Foreign Ministry; he received a noted declaring two Russian embassy employees personae non gratae over activities, incompatible with the diplomatic status," the Foreign Minister said, adding that they must leave the republic within seven days.

According to the top diplomat, this decision was made in a move of solidarity with Prague. The Lithuanian Embassy in Moscow expressed its readiness to assist the Czech one with diplomatic functions, complicated by Moscow’s expulsion of Czech embassy employees.

Read also

Russia, Czech Republic to reduce embassy staff to 7 diplomats each

The relations between Russia and the Czech Republic deteriorated sharply after the Czech authorities claimed that new details emerged regarding the 2014 explosions at arms deports in Vrbetice. According to the Czech Republic, Russian intelligence agencies were involved in this incident. As a result, Prague expelled 18 Russian Embassy employees, whom it called Russian intelligence officers.

Russia expressed its decisive protest and expelled 20 Czech embassy employees in a reciprocal move.

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