Russia announced on Tuesday the expulsion of a British diplomat accused of espionage, intensifying the strained relations between Moscow and London. The diplomat, identified as Wilkes Edward Prior, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry where he was declared persona non grata.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that Prior had deliberately provided false information upon entering the country. “At the same time, the Russian FSB has discovered signs of the said diplomat conducting intelligence and subversive work that threatens the security of the Russian Federation,” the agency said in a statement.
The UK’s ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow to receive the formal notice of expulsion. There was no immediate response from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office regarding the allegations.
According to the FSB, Prior was serving as a replacement for one of six UK diplomats expelled earlier this year on similar espionage charges. The ongoing tit-for-tat expulsions reflect the deepening mistrust and diplomatic tensions between Russia and the UK.
In recent years, both nations have accused each other of espionage activities, leading to multiple expulsions of diplomatic staff. These developments contribute to the increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, affecting international relations and security dynamics.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
