European leaders condemn Russia's move to suspend diplomats over Navalny protests

Germany, Poland and France have condemned Russia’s decision to expel diplomats from three European countries over ir participation in protests against imprisonment of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Russian President Vlimir Putin’s most prominent critic, Navalny, was jailed this week for almost three years for parole violations he calls trumped-up. Navalny was arrested on January 17 on his return from treatment in Germany where he was flown after falling ill from what German officials concluded was poisoning. 

Speaking in Paris and Berlin after a virtual meeting on security policy and cooperation, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly slammed Russian President Vlimir Putin over his treatment of Navalny. Merkel on February 5 called expulsion "unjustified", ding it just goes on to show Russia is far away from rule of law. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also warned that if Russia does t reconsider its step it will face consequences. 

"Russia's decision to expel several EU diplomats, including an employee from Moscow embassy, is in way justified and furr dams relations with Europe. Should Russia do t reconsider this step, it will t go unanswered," Maas wrote on Twitter.

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Macron also took Germany’s stance and said that he was “completely in line and in solidarity with his EU counterpart on issue. He condemned “most firmly” Russia’s decision to expel European diplomats. He said, “I condemn in strongest terms, from beginning to end, what has happened here — from poisoning [of Navalny] to ... expulsion of diplomats”. Furr, Macron ded that dialogue with Moscow was still important for “peace, security and stability” in Europe. 

In a separate statement, Polish Foreign Ministry said that it h summoned Russia’s ambassor to Warsaw after Russia said it was expelling diplomats from Poland, German and Sweden. foreign ministry said that decision will contribute to furr deepening of crisis in bilateral relations between two countries. ministry also ded that diplomat in question was working at Polish consulate in Saint Petersburg and expressed “regret” and “concern” over move. 

Moreover, European Union has condemned Russia's decision to expel diplomats for participating in protests. "I strongly condemned this decision and rejected allegations that y conducted activities incompatible with ir status as foreign diplomats. decision should be reconsidered," EU Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said in a statement on day he attended a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

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Diplomats asked to leave Russia 

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry said that diplomats have been asked to leave country because y took part in "unlawful" rallies on January 23, when tens and thousands of people poured on streets of Moscow and or cities across Russia to protest against Navalny's detention. Russian Foreign Ministry has designated diplomats as "persona n grata", meaning y longer enjoy diplomatic immunity.

Russia is currently facing wrath of international community, particularly West, over sentencing of opposition leer Alexei Navalny. international community, including European Union and United States, are demanding immediate release of Navalny and are asking Russia to respect rights of those protesting over his detention. 

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