Russian ambassador to UK claims embassy is 'shrinking' because government is delaying staff visas

The accusation comes amid public clashes between the UK and Russia over Syria and Ukraine

Alexander Yakovenko raised concerns over the length of time it took for visas to be issues to Russian embassy staff ( JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images)

The Russian ambassador to the UK has accused the British government of “shrinking” its London embassy by delaying visas.

Alexander Yakovenko said the embassy was operating on a reduced number of staff and could lose more personnel as time went on - he also questioned whether the UK wanted "an adequate Russian diplomatic presence".

Relations between the UK and Russia have become increasingly fraught in recent months, with the Natwest bank withdrawing UK services for the Kremlin-backed RT media organisation earlier in October.

"The embassy is shrinking and if it continues the embassy will be reduced further. People cannot be replaced because the visas are not being issued," said Mr Yakovenko, the BBC reported.

He added: "Here in London, we simply do not understand the strategy of this country on visa issues."

Mr Yakovenko said he hoped the problem, which he claimed had been going on for more than a year, would be resolved by Theresa May’s government.

The British and Russian governments have previously clashed on a number of sensitive issues, most recently Russia’s intervention in Syria. Airstrikes conducted by the Russians on Aleppo and other targets have caused significant harm to civilians and been branded alleged war crimes by Western leaders.

Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, also damaged relations with the West.

However, the British government has denied deliberately withholding diplomatic visas.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We have made clear to the Russians that the queues need to be cleared on both sides, and they have agreed work with us on this.

"We regularly discuss the visa exchange process with the Russians at official level and this requires both the UK and Russia to work together to ensure the effective operation of our respective embassies."