All news

Russia expels five Portuguese diplomats in retaliatory move — Foreign Ministry

Portugal’s ambassador in Moscow was summoned to the Russian MFA on May 19

MOSCOW, May 19. /TASS/. In retaliation for the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Portugal Moscow is expelling five staffers of the Portuguese embassy in Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a news release on Thursday.

"Portugal’s ambassador in Moscow Madalena Fischer was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on May 19 to be handed a strong protest over the provocative decision by the authorities of the Portuguese Republic to declare ten staffers of the Russian diplomatic office in Portugal as personae non gratae.

"In a retaliatory measure five staffers of the Portuguese embassy in Russia have been declared as personae non gratae. They are expected to leave the country’s territory within a 14-day deadline," the news release reads.

The Foreign Ministry said that Portugal’s unfriendly gesture would harm bilateral relations.