Kremlin and UK trade diplomats like seasonal fixtures in strained relations

The Government has revoked the accreditation of a senior Russian diplomat in London in what it described as a reciprocal response to recent expulsions of British officials from Moscow.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed that Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, has been summoned and informed of the decision following what officials called “unjustified” action by the Kremlin.

The move comes after Moscow expelled a British diplomat last month in a step London has characterised as part of a pattern of escalating diplomatic tensions.

UK officials said the decision was taken in direct response to Russia’s earlier removal of Britain’s ambassador to Moscow, which the Government described as disproportionate and unfounded.

The FCDO said the UK had acted on a “reciprocal basis” and warned that any further moves by Russia would be treated as an escalation, to which Britain would respond in a “firm and proportionate” manner.

A Government spokesman said: “We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified decision last month to expel another British diplomat and the malicious public smear campaign that followed.

“This behaviour is wholly unacceptable, and we will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of our diplomatic staff.

We have therefore summoned the Russian ambassador to announce we are taking reciprocal action, revoking the accreditation of a Russian diplomat.

Russia’s repeated unprovoked and unjustified actions are designed to disrupt our diplomatic work and form part of a wider campaign of aggressive behaviour towards the UK.

Any further action by Russia will be treated as an escalation and met with a firm and proportionate response.

Tensions between London and Moscow have remained high since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with diplomatic relations increasingly strained and both sides regularly expelling officials amid allegations of hostile activity.

Just weeks ago, a British diplomat was expelled from Russia on accusations of espionage, claims which London has rejected.

The latest exchange underscores the continuing deterioration in relations between the two countries, with diplomatic channels remaining limited amid ongoing geopolitical confrontation.