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| Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, left, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, right, have a meeting in Moscow, Russia, May 14, 2021. EPA-Yonhap |
Russia formally designated the United States and the Czech Republic as “unfriendly states,” Friday, amid the biggest crisis in ties between Moscow and Washington in years.
The government there released a decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, accompanied by a list of “unfriendly states” that “have carried out unfriendly actions” against Russia, Russian nationals or Russian entities.
The Czech Embassy will not be allowed to employ more than 19 Russian nationals, while the U.S. embassy cannot hire any, Moscow said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow remained ready for dialogue, state news agency TASS reported, stressing the fact that Russia had now only two nations on its “unfriendly states” list.
Prague said the step would only “escalate relations” between Moscow and the Czech Republic, the EU and its allies.
“We are sorry that Russia has embarked on the confrontation road to its own detriment,” the Czech foreign ministry said in a statement.
“This measure will also indirectly affect the potential development of relations between ordinary citizens, tourism, and the development of business relations,” it added.
EU chief Charles Michel tweeted the bloc’s “full solidarity” with Prague as he insisted the move “undermines diplomatic relations.”
“Efforts to divide the EU are in vain,” Michel wrote.
Spiralling tensions
In recent months tensions have spiraled between Russia and the West over a litany of issues, including Russia’s troop build-up on Ukraine’s border, interference in the U.S. elections and other perceived hostile activities.
Russia-U.S. relations have rapidly deteriorated after President Joe Biden increased pressure on the Kremlin since being inaugurated in January.
In April, Washington announced sanctions and the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats in retaliation for what it says was interference by the Kremlin in the elections, a massive cyberattack and other hostile activity.
Russia, in response, expelled 10 U.S. diplomats, banned top American officials from entering the country and prohibited the U.S. Embassy from employing foreign nationals.
After Biden likened Russian President Vladimir Putin to a “killer,” Russia temporarily recalled its ambassador to the United States and later said the U.S. envoy to Moscow should also head to Washington for consultations.
The U.S. Embassy was forced to suspend most consular services to its nationals and stopped issuing visas due to a drastic reduction in staff following the tit-for-tat sanctions.
But on Friday it said it would temporarily resume consular services for its citizens “through July 16.”
Tensions have also spiraled with the Czech Republic after Prague accused Russian military intelligence of being behind a deadly explosion at an ammunition depot in the eastern part of the country in 2014.
Moscow said last month it would cap the number of the Czech Embassy staff in a tit-for-tat move after the EU country announced it was expelling dozens of Russian diplomats. (AFP)
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