12 Russian diplomats to the UN, declared persona non grata, left the United States. This was announced on Monday, March 7, in the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the organization “RIA News”.
They flew with their families from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport to Moscow.
Earlier, on February 28, the United States declared 12 Russian diplomats to the UN persona non grata against the background of the Russian special operation in the Donbass.
Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian permanent representative to the international organization, said on the same day that the States ordered 12 employees of the Russian Foreign Ministry to leave the country by March 7. He stressed that such a decision by the US authorities is a gross violation of international obligations.
Permanent Representative of Russia to the EU Vladimir Chizhov did not rule out the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the European Union. He recalled that in a number of EU countries, this practice has already taken place.
On the same day, the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that the actions of the EU and its role in the events in Ukraine would not remain without a tough response. The ministry noted that the EU structures involved in the supply of weapons to Ukraine will be responsible for any consequences of such actions in the context of the ongoing special military operation.
In turn, the EU announced new measures against a number of Russians. Under the restrictions were the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov and a number of political figures, representatives of culture and business.
Prior to this, the British government announced restrictive measures against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The situation in Donbass escalated significantly on February 17. In the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, heavy shelling by Ukrainian security forces was reported, including from heavy weapons. The republics announced a general mobilization, the evacuation of civilians to the territory of Russia, and also asked to recognize their independence. On February 21, the President of Russia signed decrees recognizing their sovereignty.
On February 24, the Russian leader announced a special operation to protect the civilian population of Donbass. As Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified at the time, the special operation has two goals – the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine. According to him, both of these aspects pose a threat to the Russian state and people. The Russian side also emphasized that it does not hatch plans for the occupation of Ukraine, and strikes are carried out only on the military infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.
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