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Czech embassy in Moscow: "in direct contact" with the German embassy
Photo: Mikhail Tereshchenko / imago images / ITAR-TASS
Germany wants to help the Czech Republic to continue operating its embassy in Moscow after the expulsion of numerous diplomats and employees.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) offered his new Czech counterpart Jakub Kulhánek support in a telephone call, according to information from the dpa news agency, in order to ensure that the embassy was able to work.
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"The Czech and German embassies in Moscow are already in direct contact with this," said the Foreign Office.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) also pledged solidarity to the Czech Republic in a telephone conversation with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, according to the dpa.
The diplomatic conflict between the Czech Republic and Russia began on Saturday with serious allegations by the Czech Republic against Moscow.
Prague accuses Russian secret services of being responsible for explosions in an ammunition dump in Vrbětice in the east of the country in 2014.
Two people died in the process.
In a press conference recently, the Federal Foreign Office stated that the results of the investigation by the Czech authorities into the events of 2014 gave "cause for concern".
Dozens of diplomats have already been expelled
On Saturday the government in Prague expelled 18 Russians, which Russia expelled 20 Czech diplomats from the country on Sunday.
NATO and the EU have backed the government in Prague.
Observers speak of the worst conflict between the two states in decades.
The conflict escalated further on Thursday.
After an ultimatum to Russia had passed, the Czech Republic effectively decided to expel up to 70 Russian diplomats and embassy staff.
ime / dpa
