Russian Diplomatic Expulsions Exceed 200 in EU Amid Outrage

(Bloomberg) -- The expulsion of Russian embassy staff from European capitals rolled ahead with the number of personnel told to leave exceeding 200, as accusations of atrocities committed by Russian forces against Ukrainian civilians pushed diplomacy to its limits. 

Italy declared 30 Russian officials personae non gratae, while Spain said it planned to expel 25. Estonia and Latvia followed suit, kicking out 27 between them, while Slovenia required Russia to reduce its embassy staff by 33. Denmark, Romania, Sweden and European Union institutions raised the tally by another 47 combined. 

EU leaders are cobbling together a fresh set of sanctions against Russia as the world reacts with horror and outrage over apparent atrocities in the town of Bucha, in territory ceded by forces departing the north of Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin redirects his invasion force to the country's east. 

“War crimes will have to be punished -- Putin, authorities and his army will have to pay for their actions,” Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said at an event Tuesday in Turin, describing the Bucha scenes as “intolerable.” 

The mass expulsions underscored the failure of diplomacy as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the United Nations to do more to stop Moscow's aggression. He said that, short of an overhaul of the world body, Russia's veto power in the UN Security Council should be stripped, or the council “disbanded.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Monday that images of the victims in Bucha show “the unbelievable brutality of the Russian leadership” and those who follow its propaganda. There's a fear similar evidence might emerge from other areas in Ukraine occupied by Russian troops, she said. 

Germany began the latest round on Monday with the expulsion of 40 staff members suspected of have links with spy agencies. France told 35 diplomats to leave the country, saying they were conducting activities “contrary to our security interests,” according to a statement.

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Russia will respond to the expulsions, Interfax reported. 

The EU's High Representative Josep Borrell said 19 members of Russia's permanent mission with the bloc in Brussels were expelled for engaging in activities contrary to their diplomatic status.  

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania closed five Russian consulates in the region and expelled 27 staff, including diplomats and employees, in the last two days. Lithuania went the furthest, by downgrading diplomatic relations with Russia and expelling the ambassador. It recalled its own ambassador from Moscow.

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