Russia has expelled six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage and threatening the country’s security, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The accusations, described by Britain as “completely baseless,” were publicized just as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss potential easing of restrictions on Ukraine’s military strikes within Russia.

The diplomatic tensions come amid ongoing geopolitical escalations following the invasion of Ukraine.

Following Britain’s earlier expulsion of a Russian defense attaché, Russia’s actions are viewed as part of a reciprocal response, CNN has reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian targets would be perceived as a declaration of war by NATO nations.

Written by B.C. Begley