Putin “releases” Russia’s permanent representative to the EU from his duties

Sep. 26 () –

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday to “release” Russia’s permanent representative to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, and to the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in Brussels from his duties.

The decree, which has been published on Russia’s legal information portal, thus relieves Chizhov of his duties, who had been in the post since 2005, according to the Russian state news agency Interfax.

The diplomat, who was summoned on February 24 at the outbreak of the war in Ukraine by the Secretary General of the Foreign Action Service (SEAE), Stefano Sannino, indicated that he would leave Brussels on September 12. At the moment the name of the person who will succeed him in office is not known.

Previously, Chizhov rejected the possibility of “a Russian attack” in the face of constant warnings from the United States. In this sense, he asked Washington for explanations. “When you make accusations, especially very serious accusations against Russia, you also have a responsibility to present evidence. Otherwise, it is slander,” he said, as reported by DPA.