Netherlands expels Russian diplomats, close trade mission

The Netherlands government has ordered "a number'' of Russian diplomats to leave the country within two weeks, according to Deutsche Welle.

Russia's trade office in Amsterdam would also have to close by February 21, 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 (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).

“Russia's continued attempts to place intelligence officers into the Netherlands under diplomatic cover are unacceptable. We cannot and shall not allow that. That is why we are limiting the number of Russian diplomats in the Netherlands,” Hoekstra tweeted.

He also added that his country is closing its consulate general in Saint Petersburg and the Russian Trade Office in Amsterdam.

The decision comes amid a dispute over Moscow's apparent refusal to grant visas to Dutch diplomats to staff the Netherlands' consulate in St. Petersburg and embassy in the Russian capital.

Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, the Netherlands expelled 17 Russian diplomats on suspicion of espionage, and in response, Moscow expelled some Dutch diplomats from Russia.