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Russian embassy in Germany slams expulsion of Russian diplomat as unfriendly step

The Russian foreign ministry said on February 5 that a Swedish, a Polish and a German diplomats had been declared personae non gratae in Russia following their participation in unauthorized protests in Moscow

BERLIN, February 8. /TASS/. Russia’s embassy in Germany has slammed the German foreign ministry’s decision to declare a Russian diplomat persona non grata as an "ungrounded and unfriendly step."

"On February 8, 2021, a German foreign ministry’s note declaring one of the embassy’s employees persona non grata was handed over to a representative of the Russian embassy in Berlin. We consider this decision as an ungrounded and unfriendly step, which cannot promote positive development of the Russian-German relations," it said. "We express protest over this step."

"Regrettably, Berlin has been making openly confrontational moves in respect of Russia. Adequate and proportionate response will be given to any unfriendly moves," the embassy stressed.

The Russian foreign ministry said on February 5 that a Swedish, a Polish and a German diplomats had been declared personae non gratae in Russia following their participation in unauthorized protests in Moscow and St. Petersburg on January 23.

The German foreign ministry announced the response step on Monday.

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