Russia to expel 6 UK diplomats as tensions mount over missiles

The Russian authorities accused six British diplomats of spying and said they would be expelled, as tensions between Moscow and the West grow during an intensified push by Ukraine to loosen restrictions on using weapons provided by the US and Britain to strike Russia.

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Russia's Federal Security Service said in an online statement Friday that a decision was made to withdraw their accreditations, and Russian state TV quoted an official from the security service known as the FSB as saying they would be expelled.

The move comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Washington for talks with President Joe Biden that will include Ukraine's request to use Western-supplied weapons against targets inside Russia.

Starmer said on his way to the US that Britain does not "seek any conflict with Russia." "Russia started this conflict. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia could end this conflict straight away," he told reporters.