Georgia expels one Russian diplomat in solidarity with UK
Georgia has decided to expel one Russian diplomat, a staff member of the Russian Interests Section at Switzerland's Embassy in Tbilisi, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, according to TASS agency.
"The Foreign Ministry expresses solidarity with the United Kingdom and shares the stance of the UK and international community on this issue and therefore declares undesirable the presence in Georgia of one staff member of the Russian Interests Section at Switzerland's Embassy in Tbilisi," it said in a statement.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has ordered the Russian diplomat to leave the country within seven days.
This concerted action came amid the poisoning of former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury, the UK, on March 4. London immediately accused Russia of being involved.
To remind, On March 26, the United States announced its decision to expel 60 Russian diplomats and close the Russian Consulate General in Seattle. Twenty-Four European countries, Canada and Australia also decided to expel a total of 62 Russian diplomats. NATO reduced the number of staff members of the Russian mission from 30 to 20. The EU recalled its ambassador for consultations, and Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia followed suit.