The Ukrainian consul could be expelled from Russia in retaliation for the expulsion of a Russian diplomat who criticized Saakashvili
According to the Odessa website "Timer," the real reason for the expulsion of Russian diplomat Valery Shibeko from Odessa at the end of July was the hostility felt toward him by Governor Mikheil Saakashvili.
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According to the site’s sources in the Odessa Regional State Administration, it was Saakashvili who insisted on Shibeko’s departure. The fact is that even before Saakashvili’s appointment as governor of the Odessa region, Shibeko spoke quite critically about the personality of the ex-president of Georgia, which he was well aware of. Sources also claim that Shibeko knew about the impending deportation and chose to leave Ukraine without waiting for the official delivery of the note.
Let us remind you that acting Russian Consul in Odessa Valery Shibeko was expelled from Odessa on July 20. According to the head of the SBU Vasily Gritsak, the decision was made due to the “incompatibility” of his activities with diplomatic ones, as well as for violation of the provisions of the Vienna Convention.
Today, Consul Igor Fedikevich, who worked at the Ukrainian consulate in St. Petersburg, was expelled from Russia. Interfax-Ukraine reports this with reference to a source in diplomatic circles. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry does not comment on the situation with the Ukrainian diplomat.