Kiev, in solidarity with Britain over the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia in London, has ordered the deportation of 13 Russian diplomats from Ukraine, who will have to leave the country. 48 hours.
The Russian embassy in Kiev told TASS that both the embassy and the consulate will implement the ultimatum of the Ukrainian side within 48 hours.
"Every diplomat will leave for his homeland (Russia) by the means he chooses. Some by rail, some by air via Minsk, or via the Baltic states. "In this way, there will be no organized departure," the Russian embassy said in a statement.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced on Monday that 13 Russian diplomats would be deported in solidarity with Britain over the Salisbury incident. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mariana Betsa said Russian diplomats working in diplomatic missions in Kiev, Odessa, Lviv and Kharkiv would be deported.
At the same time, the Montenegrin government decided to deport a Russian diplomat after the poisoning of a former Russian double agent and his daughter in England, the responsibility for which the British government blamed in Moscow.
In a statement, the government of Montenegro, the youngest NATO member aspiring to join the European Union, said the decision was taken in line with measures taken by "allies and partners, the EU and NATO" and in a show of solidarity. to Britain.
Montenegro also withdrew its consent to the honorary consul of Russia. Russian diplomats in Podgorica were not immediately available for comment.
Relations between Russia and Montenegro have been strained since October 2016, following a alleged Russian-backed conspiracy to assassinate the Montenegrin prime minister, overthrow the government and prevent the former Yugoslav republic from joining.