The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office took this step today, citing Russia's deliberate and malicious actions aimed at undermining the UK's security

and stability.

An FCDO spokesperson said:  

“The UK condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s unprecedented and unfounded public campaign of aggression against the UK, including the malicious and completely baseless accusations made against Foreign Office staff last week. This behaviour is in direct contravention to Russia’s obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.  

This pattern of behaviour is completely unacceptable, deeply unprofessional, and beneath the standards of conduct between states.  

This is the latest development in a deliberate campaign by Russia to undermine and threaten UK security and democracy and deter our support for Ukraine, through disinformation, acts of sabotage in Europe and direct harassment and restrictions against our diplomatic missions in Russia. This campaign will not succeed.  

Russia must stop this activity immediately”. Photo by Adrian Pingstone, Wikimedia commons.