Russian Embassy says expulsion of diplomats “will not go unanswered”

Dave Hanratty

The Embassy said the move “can only deteriorate further Russian-Irish relations”.

The Embassy of Russia in Ireland has released a strongly-worded statement following the expulsion of four diplomatic officials, noting that this action “will not go unanswered”.

On Tuesday afternoon (29 March), Government officials including Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney confirmed that four Russian diplomats attached to the embassy have been asked to leave Ireland.

The expulsion is because the diplomats’ activities have been judged not to be “in accordance with international standards of diplomatic behaviour”.

Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov has been informed of the move, though is not one of the officials in question.

Speaking in Dáil Éireann on Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the decision was taken in light of recommended security advice.

“Under article nine of the 1961 Vienna Convention, we have taken these actions,” the Taoiseach confirmed.

“We nonetheless do believe the diplomatic channels between the Russian Federation and the State should stay open in the interest of us conveying our abhorrence of the war and maintaining diplomatic channels as a principle, but also to protect Irish citizens in Russia,” he added.

In response, the Embassy of Russia has heavily criticised the measure, labelling the decision “groundless”.

“On March 29, 2022, the Embassy of Russia in Ireland has been informed by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland of the decision by the Government of Ireland to request that four members of the diplomatic staff of the Embassy leave Ireland shortly, because allegedly their actions have been found to be unacceptable,” the statement begins.

“The Embassy rejects such qualifications of the work of our diplomats.

“This is [an] arbitrary, groundless decision, which can only deteriorate further Russian-Irish relations, already damaged by the Irish participation in illegitimate EU sanctions against Russia.

“The Embassy proceeds from the assumption that such a step by the Irish side will not go unanswered.”