Retaliating against Austria, Russia expels 4 diplomats

Moscow has asked four Austrian diplomats to leave Russia in retaliation for the expulsion of four Russian diplomats from Vienna earlier this month.

Austria had accused Russian diplomats of spying, and Chancellor Karl Nehmer defended their February 2 expulsion on Friday. He said that Austria would not watch silently “while espionage takes place in our country and hospitality is abused.”

Austrian government orders four Russian diplomats to leave the country

Announcing the expulsion of Austrian diplomats on Thursday, Russia’s foreign ministry called the earlier act by Austria “unfriendly and unfair”, calling into question “Austria’s earlier status as a fair and neutral state”.

Russia recently expelled four Austrian diplomats as retaliation for Vienna doing the same to its Russian diplomats.

Nehmer rejected the claim that Austria was no longer neutral.

Western European countries and Russia have expelled each other’s diplomats on several occasions since Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine began nearly a year ago. Austria, an EU member with a policy of military neutrality, was initially hesitant to take such action, but expelled four Russian diplomats in April after pressure from the public and EU partners.

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Russian diplomats were given a week to leave Austria. Russia said Austrian diplomats had until 23 February.

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Moscow also said that Vienna was making it difficult for Russian officials to obtain visas, “which contradicts Austria’s obligations as a venue for international meetings.”