Germany expels 40 Russian diplomats on ‘spy-agency links’

Bloomberg

Numerous European Union countries expelled Russian diplomats following the apparent slaying of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha, a town near Kyiv that was among the first targets of invading Russian forces.
Germany said it was kicking out 40 staff members from the Russian embassy in Berlin with suspected links to spy agencies. France followed suit, saying it was telling 35 diplomats to leave. Italy confirmed the expulsion of 30 Russian officials, while Denmark said it was sending 15 diplomats home and Sweden expelled three. The Baltic nations, Bulgaria and Poland have announced similar moves. The EU is working on further sanctions against Russia after the world reacted with horror and outrage to the apparent war crimes in Ukraine.
Images of the victims in Bucha show “the unbelievable brutality of the Russian leadership” and those who follow its propaganda, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. There’s a fear similar evidence might emerge from other areas in Ukraine occupied by Russian troops, she said. “The federal government has therefore decided to declare as persona non grata a significant number of members of the Russian Embassy who have worked every day against our freedom and against cohesion of our society here in Germany,” Baerbock said.
Deputy Foreign
Minister Alexander Grushko said Russia will respond to the
expulsions, Interfax
reported.