Netherlands Expel Russian Diplomats

DW: The Netherlands expel Russian diplomats, close trade mission 

The Dutch move to kick out a number of Russian diplomats was sparked by concerns over espionage but is also based on a row over diplomatic visas.

The Netherlands on Saturday ordered "a number'' of Russian diplomats to leave the country within two weeks. 

Russia's trade office in Amsterdam would also have to close by Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra said. 

He accused Russia of trying to post spies in the Netherlands, which is also home to international institutions, including the International Criminal Court and the global chemical weapons watchdog OPCW. 

 "Russia keeps trying to secretly get intelligence agents into the Netherlands under cover of diplomacy. We cannot and shall not allow that," Hoekstra said.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Russian diplomats ordered out of the Netherlands (AP) 

Update #2: Netherlands orders Russian diplomats to leave (Al Jazeera)  

WNU Editor: The Kremlin says it will respond .... Netherlands orders Russian embassy to downsize, Moscow says it will respond (Reuters).



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