Japan deports eight Russian diplomats – bans imports of Russian coal

LAST UPDATE: 12:43

Japan announced today that it was deporting eight Russian diplomats and officials to express its outrage at the deaths of many civilians in Ukraine, calling Moscow’s actions “absolutely unacceptable.”

The deportations came as many European countries have already taken similar action, increasing pressure on Russia following allegations of war crimes allegedly committed by Russian troops in the Kiev region.

“After a thorough investigation in our country, we have requested the deportation of eight diplomats from the Russian embassy in Japan and officials from the trade delegation of the Russian Federation,” said Hikariko Ono, a spokeswoman for the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

According to her, Russia’s ambassador to Tokyo, Mikhail Galuzin, was briefed on Tokyo’s decision during a meeting with Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori.

The ambassador, who is not among the diplomats to be deported, was informed that the death of civilians “is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime,” Ono said.

At the same time, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced today the imposition of new sanctions against Russia due to violations of international law in Ukraine.

“We will ban the import of Russian coal. We will adopt alternatives and by reducing imports, we will reduce our energy dependence on Russia,” he said in a televised address.

Kishida added that the assets of several Russian banks will be frozen, while sanctions against Russians will be extended.

Montenegro, meanwhile, has demanded the deportation of four Russian diplomats, according to a foreign ministry statement.

The diplomats “violated the diplomatic rules,” the ministry said in a statement issued Thursday.

They have a week to leave Montenegro, and another Russian diplomat has already been deported.