Czech expels 18 Russian diplomats after accusing Russia of the 2014 depot attack. In turn Russia announced they had suspended 20 Czech diplomats. Tensions continue to rise as the countries turn cold to each other.
Czech Prime Minister stated “We’re a sovereign state and it’s unacceptable for foreign agents to conduct such operations here,” accusing 2 Russian military agents for the depot attack.
The 2014 depot attack had targeted the ammunition and left 2 people dead. Mr. Zeman, the Czech prosecutor general, stated the ammunition was meant to be sent to a dealer in Bulgaria and be intentionally exploded upon delivery. “The explosion was not supposed to occur on Czech Republic’s territory,” Zeman expressed. It was also said that the 2 accused agents had gotten fake identities and had been involved in an earlier attempt to kill a former soviet spy back in 2018, but since the investigation is not complete more details can not be revealed to the public.
The tension continues as Czech intelligence services have urged against Russian companies due to possible links to the Kremlin. Czech also prohibited the Russian Rosatom nuclear corporation from taking part in construction at one of their nuclear plants.
In response the Russian foreign ministry has accused Czech of being an American puppet even saying the accusations are ludicrous by stating, “In an effort to please the U.S.A. following recent American sanctions against Russia, the Czech government in this instance even exceeded its overseas masters,”. The Czech Prime Minister retaliated, stating “It’s us who are the victims of the Russian actions.”.
After these accusations and diplomatic suspensions the countries will most likely not find common ground soon.
