Russia Responds with 'Reciprocal' Diplomatic Expulsion of German Officials

 On 22nd April 2023, the Russian government announced a reciprocal expulsion of over 20 German diplomats, in response to the mass removal of Russian embassy staff from Germany.

 According to Russian state media, the foreign ministry accused Berlin of damaging diplomatic ties and continuing to destroy relations between the two countries. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on state-run television that the decision was made after weeks of discussions on personnel matters in the respective foreign representations. In addition to the expulsion of German diplomats, Moscow will also restrict the maximum number of employees in German diplomatic missions in Russia. The German ambassador, Geza Andreas von Geyr, was informed of these measures on 5th April.

The relationship between Germany and Russia has deteriorated since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation in Ukraine, and as Berlin increased its financial and military support to Kyiv. Germany was criticized for delaying the delivery of weapons to Kyiv and reluctance to dispatch German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine. The Kremlin criticized the decision to send Western tanks, stating that they would "burn." The German security service raised the level of alert regarding Russian espionage, which it claimed had reached unprecedented levels after Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. Germany expelled 40 Russian diplomats in early 2022, and its cybersecurity chief, Arne Schoenbohm, was fired in October following allegations of ties to Russian intelligence services.

For years, Germany maintained deep economic ties with Russia, particularly in the energy sector, where it relied on Russian gas. However, relations soured over time, resulting in the current diplomatic crisis.