Russia Suspends Its Mission at NATO in Response to Expulsion of Diplomats

Sergei Lavrov, the country’s foreign minister, said at a news conference that the suspension of the Russian Permanent Mission to NATO could come into effect as early as next month and is a result of “NATO’s actions.”

“As a result of NATO’s deliberate moves, we have practically no conditions for elementary diplomatic work and in response to NATO’s actions, we suspend the work of our permanent mission to NATO, including the work of the chief military envoy, probably from Nov. 1, or maybe it will take a couple more days,” Lavrov said.

Lavrov added that NATO members who have “any emergency business” can still contact our ambassador in Belgium on these questions, as the alliance’s office in Moscow, the nation’s capital, will be closed.

NATO said on Monday it has taken into account Lavrov’s comments on the mutual suspension of diplomatic missions, noting that it hasn’t received any official communication about the matter.

“We have taken note of Minister Lavrov’s comments to the media, however, we have not received any official communication on the issues he raised,” the NATO Press Office told news agency TASS in a request to comment on Lavrov’s statement.