INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia said Tuesday it was expelling diplomats from three European countries in retaliation for similar measures taken against Moscow's
envoys over the Kremlin's military operation in Ukraine.The Russian Foreign Ministry declared 15 diplomats from the Netherlands "persona non
grata," giving them two weeks to leave.Moscow gave the same deadline to the embassy staff of Belgium for its decision to kick out 21 Russian
envoys last month.Although Russia had warned at the time that it would retaliate by following the "principle of reciprocity," the Russian
statement did not spell out how many Belgian staff had been ordered out.Moscow further gave four Austrian diplomats until Sunday to leave
Russia, underscoring a break in relations with a country that had enjoyed relative neutrality since the Cold War.Moscow's announcement came
a week after Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer became the first European leader to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin since the Kremlin
launched its military operation in Ukraine on Feb
24.The expulsions are the latest in a series of measures taken between Moscow and Western countries in the wake of Russia's military
campaign.The offensive has thrown Russia into international isolation and broken many of its economic ties with the West.But Russia has
still not responded to decisions by Germany and France to each send home 40 of Moscow's envoys, meaning that more expulsions were likely
soon.Moscow on Tuesday also summoned Luxembourg's envoy, warning him that Russia may decide to take reciprocal measures following the tiny
European state's expulsion of Moscow's ambassador.The Russian foreign ministry called a decision by the Netherlands to expel Moscow envoys
"groundless" and the step taken by Belgium "provocative."The ministry said Austria's expulsion of four Russians "seriously damaged both
bilateral relations and Austria's international prestige."
