Russia to expel one diplomat from Finnish Embassy in Moscow

Mikko Hautala, Ambassador of Finland to Russia, was notified of the matter by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on 30 March in Moscow.  Russia has announced corresponding measures also against many other countries that have expelled Russian diplomats.

The expulsion of the Finnish diplomat is Russia's response to the decision of Finland, made on Monday 26 March, to expel one official with a diplomatic status from the Embassy of Russia in Helsinki following the Salisbury nerve agent attack. Russia's decision is not related to the activities of the Finnish diplomat. The Finnish diplomat must leave Russia within two weeks.

The identity of the diplomat who is to leave Russia is not public information. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will not provide further information about this matter.

Contact: Media Coordination Officer, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 40 551 6571