Czechs Oust Scores of Russian Diplomats in Historic Blow to Ties

  • Prague demands Russians cut Embassy staff from about 100
  • Russia rejects blast accusations, has expelled Czech envoys
Andrej BabisPhotographer: Bartek Sadowski/Bloomberg
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The Czech Republic slashed the number of Russians allowed at Moscow’s embassy in Prague, depriving its former Soviet-era master of a diplomatic hub in central Europe after blaming its spies for a deadly 2014 explosive attack.

The Czechs demanded Russia cut its embassy personnel from about 100 to a few dozen, matching the size of the Czech mission in Moscow after both sides expelled a record number of envoys in the past week. Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek said Russia agreed and it has until the end of May to comply.