Poland expels Russian diplomat in tit for tat

WARSAW - The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that a Russian diplomat has been expelled in a direct response to the expulsion of a Polish diplomat by Russia.

Poland coordinated the move with Sweden and Germany, which also had diplomats expelled by Moscow on Friday for alleged participation in anti-government protests by supporters of opposition politician Alexey Navalny on Jan 23.

Russia's move coincided with the visit of Josep Borrell, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, to Moscow to discuss relations between the bloc and the Russian Federation. Borrell condemned the expulsions, calling them unjustified.

Poland had warned it would take what it called appropriate steps if the expulsion of its diplomat was not reconsidered.

The expelled Russian diplomat worked at the Russian consulate in Poznan, Poland's fifth largest city.