Slovakia expels Russian diplomat, says engaged in espionage

Moscow and Kiev traded angry accusations since Russian navy vessels fired on and captured three Ukrainian ships

BRATISLAVA: Slovakia has expelled a Russian diplomat after information from military intelligence showed he engaged in espionage activities in the NATO and European Union member country, Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said on Wednesday.

"We expelled him on November 22 and he left Slovakia within 48 hours," Pellegrini told reporters.

Previously, Ukraine urged Western governments to impose more sanctions on Russia over the incident, but there too it has seen little support.

In a statement on Wednesday, the EU strongly condemned Russia’s actions but, after three days of debate among senior officials, could not agree on a tougher response.

Moscow and Kiev have traded angry accusations since Russian navy vessels fired on, boarded and captured the three Ukrainian ships.