The German government has declared 40 Russian diplomats “undesirable individuals,” according to foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, a move that amounts to expulsion from the nation.
The declaration on Monday comes on the heels of similar steps by European partners in recent days in response to Russia’s aggression towards its neighbour. Earlier in the day, Lithuania expelled its Russian ambassador.
According to Baerbock, the decision was in response to the Kremlin’s “unbelievable cruelty” in Ukraine.
“The images from Bucha speak to unbelievable brutality by the Russian leadership and those who follow its propaganda with a boundless desire to exterminate,” Baerbock said, referring to the town near Kyiv where dozens of bodies were discovered in mass graves or littering the streets after Russian forces withdrew.
According to Interfax, Russia’s foreign ministry stated it will retaliate to Germany’s move to expel 40 Russian diplomats.
The Kremlin has disputed Western accusations that Russian military killed civilians in Bucha.
However, according to Baerbock, “similar sights” might be feared “in other regions where Russian military have seized.”
She stated that it was critical to “stand up for our freedom and be ready to protect it.”
“That is why the German government has chosen to classify a substantial number of Russian embassy personnel as persona non grata, who have worked every day here in Germany against our freedom, against the cohesiveness of our society,” she stated.
Diplomats a ‘threat’
“We will no longer allow that, and we informed the Russian ambassador of this this afternoon,” she added.
According to Baerbock, Germany would take more actions “alongside our allies,” including “imposing stronger sanctions on Russia, dramatically boosting backing for Ukraine’s combat forces, and bolstering NATO’s eastern flank.”
Lithuania announced the expulsion of Russia’s ambassador and the closure of Russia’s consulate in the coastal city of Klaipeda. It stated that its envoy in Moscow will “return in the near future.”
“Lithuania stands in complete solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, who are victims of Russia’s unparalleled aggression,” said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis in a statement.
“The Russian military forces’ war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine will not be forgotten,” he continued.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, said on Monday that the proof of civilian fatalities in Bucha was only the “tip of the iceberg,” emphasising the necessity for stiffer penalties against Moscow.
“Half measures are no longer sufficient. This week, I urge the most severe punishments, this is the request of the victims of rapes and homicides. If you have questions regarding sanctions, go to Bucha first,” he stated at a news conference with British Foreign Minister Liz Truss.
On Monday, US Vice President Joe Biden reiterated his charge that Putin was a war criminal and called for a war crimes prosecution. Putin “is ruthless.” And what’s going on in Bucha is awful, as everyone has witnessed,” Biden told reporters.
The United States and its allies have attempted to punish Russia for the invasion by implementing broad sanctions, but they are concerned that additional harm will be done to the world economy, which is still recovering from the epidemic. Europe is in a unique position since Russia supplies 40% of its gas and 25% of its oil.
According to Ukrainian officials, Putin’s February 24 invasion killed thousands of people and prompted more than 4 million Ukrainians to escape their nation.
Putin has stated that the strike is intended to eliminate a security danger and has demanded that Ukraine withdraw its application to join NATO. The invasion, according to Kiev and its backers, is an act of aggression.
