No comment on expulsion of Russian diplomat from Ukraine’s Odessa, Kremlin

The Kremlin has withheld comment on declaring Russia’s Consul General in Odessa persona non grata. “You should apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this,” Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, based on the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) materials, declared Russia’s Acting Consul General in Odessa persona non grata.

“In accordance with Article 23 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry handed to the Russian side a note demanding that Russia’s Consul General in Odessa immediately leave the territory of our country,” the SBU report says, not giving the consul’s name.

Chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasily Gritsak said that the diplomat was expelled “because of conducting activity incompatible with his diplomatic status, as well as for violation of provisions of the Convention.”
According to SBU, the diplomat has left Ukraine.