Germany’s decision to expel Russian diplomats has split the Social Democrats (SPD), Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition partner, undermining her tough stance on Moscow just two weeks into a new government.
Berlin is sending four diplomats back to Russia, joining other European states, the United States and others in a concerted response to a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in England which Britain blames on Russia. Moscow denies any involvement.
“We must do everything possible to prevent a new Cold War with Russia,” Social Democrat Gernot Erler, government coordinator for Russia, told the Passauer Neue Presse.
He said Germany had a clear and unshakeable position, “but we want to stay in dialogue with Moscow”. Läs artikel
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