Local British media reported on Thursday that Foreign Minister Liz Truss expelled Russian Ambassador Andrei Kelin from her office after summoning him to the Foreign Office. Sky News reported, citing foreign ministry sources, that the meeting between Truss and the Russian ambassador lasted 10 minutes, and was intended to discuss the Russian military operation in Ukraine.
The sources added that "Liz Truss expelled him (the Russian ambassador) early. She stated that Russia has repeatedly lied, lost its credibility with the international community, and should be ashamed of itself." The sources clarified that Ambassador Kelin engaged in "normal propaganda" during the meeting, and the British minister conveyed her message to the ambassador before indicating the door for him to leave her office.
This marks the second time the Russian ambassador has been summoned to the British Foreign Office within a week. The first time was on February 22, after Moscow recognized two self-proclaimed breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine. Early Thursday, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, prompting outrage from several countries and calls for stricter sanctions against Moscow.
