UK rejects Russian espionage claims amid diplomatic tensions Kremlin denies plans to sever ties

The British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has dismissed Russia’s recent decision to expel six British diplomats from Moscow, following allegations of espionage, as baseless.

The Foreign Office released a statement condemning the claims made by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and emphasizing that the expulsions were a retaliatory measure, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The UK government had previously taken action against Russian state activities in Europe and the UK, leading to the revocation of diplomatic accreditation for the six diplomats.

“The accusations leveled by the FSB against our staff are entirely unfounded. The expulsion of our diplomats was a response to our actions concerning Russian state activities. We will not apologize for defending our national interests,” the British Foreign Office statement read.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has clarified that there are currently no discussions about severing diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom.

Peskov’s comments came in response to the FSB’s report on alleged intelligence activities by British embassy personnel. “There is no talk of breaking diplomatic relations at this time,” Peskov stated, seeking to temper concerns over a potential escalation in diplomatic tensions.

The Russian authorities accused six British diplomats of spying and said they would be expelled, as tensions between Moscow and the West grow during an intensified push by Ukraine to loosen restrictions on using weapons provided by the US and Britain to strike Russia.  

Russia’s Federal Security Service said in an online statement Friday that a decision was made to withdraw their accreditations, and Russian state TV quoted an official from the security service known as the FSB as saying they would be expelled.  

The move comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Washington for talks with President Joe Biden that will include Ukraine’s request to use Western-supplied weapons against targets inside Russia.