Russia expels 20 Czech diplomats over explosion allegations
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis. (Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)
Moscow expelled 20 Czech diplomats on Sunday amid allegations that two Russian spies were behind an explosion that killed two people at a Czech ammunition depot.
The same two spies are also accused of a nerve agent poisoning in Britain in 2018.
Prague had ordered out 18 Russian diplomats on Saturday, prompting the country to retaliate by giving the Czech’s a day to leave.
The US State Department commended Prague’s firm response to Russia’s “subversive actions on Czech soil”.
The row is the biggest between Prague and Moscow since the end of decades of Soviet domination of eastern Europe in 1989.
Moscow Strikes Back: 20 Czech Diplomats Expelled from Russia
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Russia expels Czech diplomats over spying row
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EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday the bloc holds Russia responsible for the health of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, as EU foreign ministers held virtual talks on soaring tensions with Moscow.
The United States has warned the Kremlin of consequences if President Vladimir Putin s major domestic opponent - who is currently on hunger strike - dies in prison after doctors warned at the weekend he could pass away at any minute .
Fears over the health of Navalny come amid major anxieties in the 27-nation European Union over a buildup of Russian troops along the border with Ukraine and a spiralling diplomatic row between Moscow and EU member state the Czech Republic.