Last week, Russia announced that it would be expelling envoys from Germany, Sweden and Poland after accusing them of taking part in riots supporting opposition leader, Alexei Navalny. The three EU countries have announced they will each be rejecting a Russian diplomat in retaliation.

Russia makes the first move

Last week, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, met with the Russian Foreign Minister in Moscow, after it was announced that Russia would be expelling three diplomats from Germany, Sweden and Poland, who allegedly took part in demonstrations protesting against the imprisonment of the opposition leader and prominent government critic, Alexei Navalny. 

The three EU countries have since condemned the expulsions. Germany’s foreign office said that Russia’s decision “was in no way justified” and their envoy was simply doing his job in Russia, reporting on developments whilst observing the law. Similarly, Sweden’s foreign minister, Ann Linde, said that expulsion of a diplomat “who was only performing his duties” was unacceptable.

Europe retaliates

Germany, Sweden and Poland have each ejected a Russian diplomat in retaliation to Russia’s decision. Linde said that the action “was a clear response to the decision to expel a Swedish diplomat,” whilst Poland announced that its decision was made “in accordance with the principle of reciprocity and in coordination with Germany and Sweden.”

The Russian foreign ministry responded to the expulsions, claiming that the West was interfering with Russia’s domestic affairs. “Today's decisions by Poland, Germany and Sweden are unfounded, unfriendly and are a continuation of the very series of actions that the West is taking with regard to our country and which we qualify as interference in our internal affairs," said government spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

EU-Russian relations

The current dispute reflects heightened tensions between the EU and Russia, which have been exacerbated recently after Navalny returned to Russia and was promptly arrested and jailed for three years for violating parole conditions whilst being treated in a hospital in Germany. Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent and was treated in Berlin. He has since blamed Vladimir Putin as being responsible for the assassination attempt. 

Western leaders have demanded the opposition leader's immediate release. Josep Borrell, who was meeting with the Russian foreign minister to try and revive EU relations with Russia, as well as negotiate for Navalny’s release, is now expected to meet with EU foreign ministers to discuss new sanctions against the country.

Despite accusing the EU and America with interfering with its internal affairs, the Russian foreign office has insisted that it remains committed to improving relations with the EU. "Russia has been and remains interested in reviving relations between Moscow and Brussels," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.