UK summons Russian envoy for 'malicious public campaign of aggression'

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The British Foreign Office summoned the Russian ambassador in London on Wednesday after what it called "Russia's public campaign of aggression against the UK."

"The UK condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s unprecedented and unfounded public campaign of aggression against the UK, including the malicious and completely baseless accusations made against Foreign Office staff last week," a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.

On Friday, the British Foreign Office issued a statement after Moscow announced revoking the accreditation of six diplomats over espionage allegations made by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), saying the accusations are "completely baseless."

“This behaviour is in direct contravention to Russia’s obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” the statement said.

"This pattern of behaviour is completely unacceptable, deeply unprofessional, and beneath the standards of conduct between states," it added.

“This is the latest development in a deliberate campaign by Russia to undermine and threaten UK security and democracy and deter our support for Ukraine, through disinformation, acts of sabotage in Europe and direct harassment and restrictions against our diplomatic missions in Russia,” the spokesperson said and called on Russia to “stop this activity immediately.”