The representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Sofia’s decision to reduce by 70 the members of the Russian mission will not go unanswered – Reckless actions, they impose the responsibility of their consequences on the whole of the EU
THE Moscow could deal with all of her European Union responding to the expulsion from the Bulgaria of the 70 members of the Russian diplomatic corps, the representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned today.
“Bulgaria’s politicized decision to unjustifiably reduce our diplomatic staff in Bulgaria will certainly not go without a bilateral response,” said Maria Zakharova in a statement from Russian diplomacy.
Assessing that the expulsion from Bulgaria “far exceeded diplomatic practice”, Zakharova called on Sofia and the EU to “reflect on the principle of reciprocity on which diplomatic relations are based”.
European diplomacy “should understand that reckless support for the anti-Russian actions of various member states imposes on the entire European Union the responsibility of their consequences, including the view of retaliation from our side,” he added.
The ambassador of Russia in Sophia on Friday considered closing its embassy in the country after Bulgaria refused to reverse its decision to expel 70 Russian diplomatic staff.
It is an unprecedented number of deportations announced in this Balkan country, a member of the EU and NATO but traditionally close to Russia.
The EU, for its part, expressed its “regret for the unjustified threat by the Russian Federation to cut off diplomatic relations with Bulgaria”, calling this measure “disproportionate”. Several European countries expelled Russian diplomats following Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow responding with similar measures.
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