Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia
UNITED NATIONS, March 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The United States has expelled 12 Russian diplomats at the United Nations over national security concerns, US and Russian diplomats said.
The US mission to the United Nations described the Russian diplomats as “intelligence operatives” who had been “engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security.”
“This action has been in development for several months,” said US mission spokesperson Olivia Dalton.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters the diplomats had been asked to leave by March 7. He said Russia would respond to the move “because it’s diplomatic practice.”
Nebenzia then raised the issue at the start of a UN Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, describing the US move as “hostile” and a violation of its commitments as host of the UN headquarters in New York.
US Deputy U.N. Ambassador Richard Mills responded: “Those diplomats that have been asked to leave the United States were engaged in activities that were not in accordance with their responsibilities and obligations as diplomats.”
He said they had been asked to leave “so they do not harm the national security of the host country,” adding that the decision was taken in full accordance with the UN headquarters agreement.
The United States and its allies have already slapped sweeping economic sanctions on Moscow for its attack on Ukraine – the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two – and moved to ramp up military and other assistance.
Meanwhile, the United States has shuttered its embassy in MINSK and allowed non-emergency employees and family members to depart from its embassy in MOSCOW as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continued in the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two.
“We took these steps due to security and safety issues stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
A photo posted on Twitter by US ambassador to Belarus Julie Fisher showed mission staff lowering the American flag.
A senior US intelligence official said Belarus is expected to send troops into Ukraine soon to fight alongside Russian forces that invaded Ukraine last week.
Belarus has been providing support for Russia’s war effort, but so far has not taken a direct part in the conflict.
The decision by Belarus’ leader on whether to bring the country further into the war depends on talks between Russia and Ukraine happening in the coming days, the anonymous official said. — NNN-AGENCIES
