The EU has so far ruled out new sanctions against Russia and the expulsion of diplomats

The European Union is currently not discussing the introduction of new sanctions against Russia, and the countries participating in the association will not expel Russian diplomats as a sign of solidarity with the Czech Republic. Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated this during a press conference following a video conference of the EU Foreign Ministers, RBC correspondent reports.

“There were no requests for a large-scale coordinated expulsion of Russian diplomats from EU member states. There are also no new sanctions. The situation may change, but so far this has not happened,” he said.

On April 17, the Czech authorities announced the expulsion of 18 Russian diplomats. The authorities explained that the employees of the Russian embassy were identified as employees of the GRU (now the Main Directorate of the General Staff) and the Foreign Intelligence Service. In Prague, they claim that GRU officers may be involved in organizing explosions at ammunition depots in the Czech village of Vrbetice in 2014, where two people died as a result of the incident. The Russian Foreign Ministry later clarified that 62 Russians would leave the Czech Republic, since members of their families would also be expelled with diplomats.

In response to the actions of the Czech authorities, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of 20 Czech diplomats. After this measure, only five diplomatic workers will remain at the country's embassy in Russia. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Hamacek later said that Russia's response was stronger than expected in Prague. He added that at the moment the work of the embassy in Russia is paralyzed.