Georgia expels Russian diplomat over the Salisbury affair

Georgia on Thursday (29 March) expelled a Russian diplomat attached to the Russian Interest Section operating in Tbilisi under the auspices of the Swiss Embassy. Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia in 2008 following Russian recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia retained a diplomatic presence in Tbilisi which works as part of the Swiss Embassy. Similarly, Georgia maintains a small diplomatic presence in Moscow working as part of the Swiss Embassy there.

The expulsion means that now Georgia has become the first South Caucasus country to join the diplomatic rebuff of Russia spearheaded by the US, the UK and the EU in retaliation for the chemical poison attack in the British town of Salisbury earlier this month. There has as yet been no indication that Armenia and Azerbaijan will take any measures.

Hundreds of Russian diplomats in dozens of countries have been expelled in the last ten days. On Thursday Russia started the process of retaliation, expelling sixty US diplomats and closing down the American Consulate in St Petersburg.

source: commonspace.eu 

photo: Georgian Foreign Ministry, Tbilisi.

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.