The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has rejected the "unprovoked expulsion" by Russia of two diplomats, saying that the United States "will respond appropriately." A U.S. Embassy spokesperson said on September 14 that Russia had "chosen confrontation and escalation over constructive diplomatic engagement." Russia's Foreign Ministry announced earlier the same day that First Secretary Jeffrey Sillin and Second Secretary David Bernstein must leave the country within seven days, saying they carried out "illegal activities" by maintaining contact with a Russian citizen, Robert Shonov, who is suspected of collaborating with a foreign state. Shonov was employed by the U.S. Consulate in Vladivostok for more than 25 years before Russia terminated the U.S. mission's local staff in 2021. Shonov was arrested in August for allegedly collecting information about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and related issues for U.S. diplomats.
Editors' Picks
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.