#Diplomats

US intelligence has warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio about intensifying Iranian plots against diplomats. Amid the threat, Washington is cutting staff in the Middle East.

The European Union is discussing strict restrictions on Russian diplomats amid a wave of hybrid attacks and sabotage incidents across European countries.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington will independently decide on the safety of diplomats in Kyiv despite Russia's calls to evacuate missions.

The European Union refused to yield to Russian threats against diplomats in Kyiv, confirming the unwavering course of supporting Ukraine, strengthening sanctions, and providing military aid.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has called on foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv amid the escalation of massive strikes against the Ukrainian capital.

Russia announced the expulsion of Hungarian diplomats in response to Budapest's similar step taken on September 8. Hungarian diplomats must leave Russia within two weeks.

On 8 September Hungary expelled 10 staff members of the Russian embassy, citing a violation of the Vienna Convention. Moscow threatened a 'harsh and painful' response, while Budapest assured that diplomatic relations would not be severed.

The EU will discuss a new package of restrictions in the coming weeks: tightening the visa regime for Russians, restricting the movement of Russian diplomats, and expanding sanctions against the shadow fleet. The trigger was the drone incident in Leipzig and the sabotage in Poland.