National security, but did not name any of the diplomats. It said the move was a measure against multiple unfriendly acts. Its not clear whether the diplomats are currently in russia. In response, the Foreign Office here in london says that russia had revoked the staff members diplomatic accreditation last months and that russias accusations against them were completely baseless. The statement adds that the uk was unapologetic about protecting its national interests. For the very latest on this developing story, i spoke to our eastern European Correspondent sarah rainsford. I think the timing of this is key, its not accidental that this has been released, that this is happening precisely as those discussions are taking place in washington about whether or not ukraine can use western long range missiles to strike inside russia. They are absolutely connected. Its interesting looking of a statement from the fsb, the russian security agency, talking about expelling essentially six members
On thursday, President Putin warned western governments not to let ukraine Target Russia with western arms. We can cross live now to warsaw and speak to our eastern Europe Correspondent Sarah Rainsford. Always good to talk to you. First of all, i wanted your reaction to the news of the expulsion. Reaction to the news of the Emulsion Reaction to the news of the expulsion. Yes, i think it is fair to say expulsion. Yes, i think it is fair to say the expulsion. Yes, i think it is fair to say the timing expulsion. Yes, i think it is fair to say the timing is expulsion. Yes, i think it is fair to say the timing is no | fair to say the timing is no accident. I think this is quite clearly, the timing of the announcement, linked to the talks are taking place. It should be allowed to use long range Western Missiles. I think it is connected as a statement to what we had from the fsb, the Security Service in russia. They say that they remove the accreditation from six british diplomats at the Brit
News of these expulsions . Mat news of these expulsions . Not surprised. News of these expulsions . Not surprised, not news of these expulsions . Iirrt surprised, not really shocked. Sad on the bed. My understanding is from Whitehall Sources is that the expulsions actually took place last month and had more to do with a tit for Tat Retaliation between the uk and russia that has been going on for quite a long time. However, the timing of the announcement has everything to do with sir Keir Starmer s meetings in Washington Today and the apparently looming decision about allowing ukrainians to use british Storm Shadow missiles against actual russian territory as opposed to territory that russia has seized. So it is part of a coordinated russian Media Effort to discourage the uk from taking this step, but i think more importantly to try to discourage other allies from following the us lead or supporting it. And it is part of a very long running Action And Reaction cycle between russia and w
But Dan Evans has lost his Opening Set against Tomas Martin Etcheverry he went down 6 2. The last time i looked, it was all square are going with server and the second set. The british number one, jack draper, is back in the team after being rested on wednesday, he plays Francisco Cerundolo after this match. Formula one is in baku this weekend for the azerbaijan grand prix. First practice was stopped twice, after crashes for Charles Leclerc and franco colapinto. Championship Leader Max verstappen went fastest, pipping Lewis Hamilton in the final moments of the session. And british Teenager Oliver Bearman was 11th for haas hes replacing kevin magnussen, who is serving a one race suspension. The manchester city manager, pep guardiola, has been responding to the news that the hearing into The Clubs 155 charges for alleged financial breaches will begin on monday. City deny all the charges, that were first brought against them 19 months ago following a Premier League investigation. Im happy
Doing so would be a serious escalation of the war, but Keir Starmer said moscow started the conflict and can end it by withdrawing its troops from ukraine. Our Political Editor Chris Mason was on the prime Ministers Plane, and sent this report shortly after landing. The Prime Minister arriving here in washington with the foreign secretary, David Lammy Sir Keir Starmer s second visit to the White House in two months. Ukraines allies remain rather guarded in their public remarks about a change in policy on the use of Western Missiles inside russia. But the diplomatic dashing to arrive at a decision is in plain sight and that has proved enough for President Putin to say this. Translation if this decision is made, it will mean nothing other than direct participation of nato countries, the United States, I European countries. In the war in ukraine. It is their direct participation and this, of course, significantly changes the very essence of the conflict. This will mean that nato countries