Netherlands accuses Russian diplomats of espionage, expels them

European country nerdlads have accused Russia of using diplomats for espionage. Also announced the expulsion of many Russian diplomats and the closure of Russia's business in Amsterdam. According to Dutch media, Netherlands has decided to expel Russian diplomats. Because bilateral talks between the two countries have come to a standstill. After this, these diplomats have been given two weeks to leave the country.

On the other hand, Belgium has also expelled Russian diplomats from its country on Tuesday. The Netherlands and Belgium expelled 38 Russian diplomats from their respective countries. On the other hand, Russia has also expelled 10 diplomats from the Baltic countries. According to media reports, Belgium has announced the expulsion of 21 Russian diplomats. Belgium said it expelled the diplomats for espionage and security reasons. The Foreign Ministry of the Netherlands informed about the expulsion of 17 Russian diplomats.

The Dutch cabinet said the two countries have not been able to come to an agreement about the terms that would allow them to post diplomats, according to Dutch media. Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra tweeted that Russia's continued attempts to deploy intelligence officers to the Netherlands under the guise of diplomats are unacceptable. That's why we are limiting the number of Russian diplomats in the Netherlands.

In addition, we are closing our Consulate General in St. Petersburg and the Russian Trade Office in Amsterdam, Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said. The Netherlands Times reported that the total number of diplomats to be expelled is not yet clear. It includes an embassy in The Hague and an honorary consulate-general in the Landgraf of the Russian Federation, as well as a trade representation office in Amsterdam.