Russia shuts mission to NATO in spy row retaliation

Russia mentioned on Monday it could halt the actions of its diplomatic mission to NATO after the Western army alliance expelled eight Russians saying they have been spies.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov additionally mentioned employees at NATO’s army mission in Moscow could be stripped of their accreditation from Nov. 1, and the alliance’s info workplace within the Russian capital could be shuttered.
“If NATO members have any urgent matters, they can contact our ambassador in Belgium on these questions,” Lavrov advised a information convention.
NATO mentioned on Oct. 6 it had expelled eight members of Russia’s mission to the alliance who it mentioned have been “undeclared Russian intelligence officers”.
Moscow mentioned on the time that the expulsions undermined hopes that relations with the U.S.-led alliance might normalise.

“NATO is not interested in equitable dialogue and joint work,” Lavrov mentioned on Monday, asserting the closure of the Russian mission. “If that’s the case, then we don’t see the need to keep pretending that changes in the foreseeable future are possible.”
NATO mentioned on Monday it had taken observe of Lavrov’s feedback however had acquired no official communication on the problems raised.
The dispute marks the newest deterioration in East-West ties which can be already at post-Cold War lows.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. (Reuters)
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas mentioned Russia now not appeared prepared to speak to the West.
“It’s more than just regrettable, this decision taken in Moscow,” he mentioned. “It will seriously damage the relationship.”
Russia accuses NATO of provocative exercise near its borders, and staged main workouts of its personal in September.
The alliance says it’s decided to bolster the safety of member states near Russia following Moscow’s annexation of the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and its backing for separatists in japanese Ukraine.