Germany, Poland and Sweden expel Russian diplomats

Coordinated dismissals come in response to expulsion of three EU diplomats by Moscow last week

Germany, Poland and Sweden have each expelled a Russian diplomat in a coordinated act of retaliation over the expulsion of three EU officials by Moscow while the bloc's foreign policy chief was visiting last week.

The tit-for-tat expulsions on Monday underscored the volatility in east-west relations and an erosion of trust among former cold war foes, as the west accuses Moscow of trying to destabilise it and the Kremlin rejects what it sees as foreign interference.