Portugal expels 10 Russian embassy staff

Portugal said it would expel 10 Russian embassy staff, adding to the hundreds of Russian diplomats and embassy personnel expelled by EU countries in response to alleged war crimes in Ukraine and concerns over espionage.

In a brief statement, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday the 10 staff members had been declared “persona non grata” for “activities contrary to national security”. They have been given two weeks to leave the country.

None of them are diplomats, the statement added.

At least 300 Russian diplomats and embassy staff have been expelled from the EU since Russia invaded Ukraine, according to Financial Times calculations.