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Russia’s foreign ministry said on Monday it had expelled a Ukrainian diplomat in retaliation for Kiev kicking out an employee of the Russian embassy earlier this month.
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Russia and Ukraine expelled a diplomat each earlier this month after Moscow accused a Ukrainian consul in St. Petersburg of trying to obtain classified information.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry called the decision “another provocation” and said that in the near future it would announce “on the basis of reciprocity” the expulsion of a Russian diplomat from country.
Relations between Moscow and Kiev have been dire since Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and backed a pro-Russian separatist insurgency in east Ukraine.
Tensions have soared in recent weeks over a Russian military build-up near the Ukrainian border that raised alarm in both Kiev and in the West.
Russia, which said the build-up had been part of military exercises, said last week it had begun returning the troops to their permanent bases.
Read more:
US has asked Russia to explain ‘provocations’ on Ukraine border amid a build-up
Macron urges ‘clear red lines’ with Russia amid buildup near Ukraine
Ukraine army chief rules out offensive against pro-Russia separatists
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