Sweden Joins In Expelling 3 Russian Diplomats Who Are Allegedly Active In Collecting Intelligence Data

JAKARTA - Sweden will expel three Russian diplomats who are strongly suspected of having spying activities. Sweden has finally joined a number of European countries that have expelled Russian diplomats in recent days.

Quoted from the Moscow Times, a number of Russian diplomats in many countries were indeed expelled due to international anger over the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. Nearly 200 diplomats were ordered home by EU allies in 48 hours.

Expulsion in Sweden for spying or "national security reasons". But the allegations follow an international outcry over the killings in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv, where dozens of bodies were found after Russian troops withdrew.

Moscow has rejected Western accusations that its troops were responsible, suggesting the images were fake or the deaths occurred after they were pulled out.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday that the mass expulsion of its diplomats was a "short-sighted move."

"Narrowing down opportunities for diplomatic communications in an unprecedentedly difficult crisis environment is a short-sighted step that will further complicate our communications, which are necessary to find solutions," he said.

Moscow has confirmed it will take action against countries expelling their diplomats, a move senior officials have said would be disproportionate and could potentially damage bilateral relations.

One by one Western countries announced the expulsion of Russian diplomats from their countries, with Denmark and Italy the latest two countries to confirm expulsions.

"Related measures will be taken against the staff of the country's foreign office," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS, regarding the expulsion of 15 of their diplomats by Denmark, as quoted on April 5.

A proper and proportionate response will also be made against Italy and France, which expelled between 30 and 35 Russian diplomats, respectively.