In a recent diplomatic move, the United States has expelled two Russian diplomats in retaliation for Russia’s expulsion of two American diplomats from Moscow. This tit-for-tat action has further strained relations between the two countries amidst ongoing tensions over the conflict in Ukraine.
The State Department explained that it took this action in response to Russia’s declaration of the two American diplomats as persona non grata. The reason behind this expulsion was their alleged contact with a Russian national who had previously worked for the now-closed US consulate in Vladivostok and was subsequently arrested. The US government has denounced Russia’s pattern of harassment against its diplomats and has warned of consequences for such actions.
These expulsions come at a time when US-Russian relations are at their lowest point since the Cold War, with ongoing disputes related to Ukraine exacerbating the situation. On September 14, Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused two US Embassy officials, Jeffrey Sillin and David Bernstein, of “illegal activity” and ordered their departure from the country within a week. The ministry alleged that these diplomats had maintained contact with the arrested former consulate employee, Robert Shonov, who was accused of gathering information about Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and related matters.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) had reported Shonov’s arrest in August, claiming that he had been collecting information on various aspects, including Russia’s military activities and the 2024 presidential election.
It’s important to note that the United States has vehemently denied these allegations made by Russia.
This diplomatic standoff adds another layer of complexity to the already fragile relations between the two global powers. Tensions between the United States and Russia continue to be closely watched by the international community, given their potential impact on global geopolitics.
By Ap
