Czechs Say Russian Retaliation Stronger Than Expected, Urge EU Solidarity

A woman holds an EU flag next to police officers during a protest over the Russian intelligence services alleged involvement in an ammunition depot explosion in Vrbetice area in 2014, outside the Russian Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic, on April 18, 2021. David W Cerny/Reuters

PRAGUE—The Czech Republic said on April 19 that Russia’s eviction of 20 Czech Embassy employees in response to Prague’s expulsion of 18 Russian staff was a stronger-than-expected reaction and that the government will consider further steps.

Acting Czech Foreign Minister Jan Hamacek said he had asked fellow European Union foreign ministers for “an expression of solidarity” at a video conference on April 18.