The Russian Foreign Ministry liquidated the British Council in Russia
The British Ambassador to Moscow Laurie Bristow received a note today listing the Russian Federation's response measures "in connection with the incident in Salisbury (UK) on March 4 this year."
This is stated in the official statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“23 diplomatic employees of the British Embassy in Moscow are declared “persona non grata” and expelled within a week. Taking into account the disparity in the number of consular offices of the two countries, the consent of the Russian Federation to the opening and functioning of the British Consulate General in St. Petersburg is withdrawn,” the statement says.
It is also reported that “due to the unsettled status of the British Council in the Russian Federation, its activities are being terminated.”
“The British side is warned that if further unfriendly actions are taken against Russia, the Russian side reserves the right to take other retaliatory measures,” the statement said.
The British Council is Britain's most powerful tool for promoting its influence in the world. Officially positioned as an organization promoting the development of culture.
Senator and SVR veteran Igor Morozov explained that London has still not given its consent to the opening of the Center for Science and Culture in Russia, so in this situation the British Council cannot continue to work.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has liquidated the British Council in Russia.