Russia's ambassador to UK says partial restoration of diplomatic presence is imminent

Russian Ambassador to Great Britain Alexander Yakovenko announced on December 28 that Moscow and London have reached an agreement to restore their diplomatic missions partially. Appearing on the state television network Rossiya 24, the ambassador said Russia’s embassy in the U.K. will be half-restored.

In March 2018, Russia and Great Britain each expelled 23 diplomats from their countries, following the nerve-agent attack in Salisbury, England, against Sergey Skripal and his daughter. London accuses Russian spies of carrying out the attack, in violation of international laws. In retaliation, the Kremlin forced the British Council to end its work in Russia and closed Britain’s consulate in St. Petersburg.