Russian authorities have taken action against a British diplomat, ordering him to leave the country amidst escalating tensions related to the conflict in Ukraine. The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia accused the diplomat of spying and providing false personal data while attempting to enter the country.
The FSB identified the diplomat as Edward Pryor Wilkes and alleged that he had been working for British intelligence under diplomatic cover. The agency claimed that Wilkes was involved in intelligence and subversive activities that posed a threat to the security of the Russian Federation.
In response to these allegations, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, announced that Wilkes' accreditation has been revoked, and he has been instructed to leave the country within two weeks. The British ambassador was summoned to receive the official notice of this decision.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office refrained from providing an immediate comment on the situation. This incident follows the expulsion of six British diplomats by Russia in September, with Moscow accusing them of espionage, a claim that the UK has vehemently denied as baseless.
The strained relations between Russia and NATO allies have led to a series of reciprocal expulsions of diplomats, marking a significant deterioration in diplomatic ties reminiscent of the Cold War era. The deployment of Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022 has further exacerbated tensions between the parties involved.
