MOSCOW, October 7. /TASS/. NATO's decision to expel Russian diplomats and accusations of hostile activity totally upset the chances for normalization of relations and a resumption of the dialogue, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Thursday.

"There is a glaring discrepancy between NATO officials' statements about their wish to normalize relations with our country and real actions. These actions, of course, leave no room for illusions regarding the normalization of relations and the resumption of the dialogue with NATO. These prospects are rather completely upset," Peskov said.

NATO has decided to expel eight Russian diplomats and halve the size of Russia's mission to the alliance in response to suspected "malign activities", Sky News said on Wednesday.

The eight diplomats are expected to leave Brussels, where the alliance is headquartered, by the end of the month and their positions scrapped. Two other positions that are currently vacant will also be abolished, Sky News said.

"We can confirm that we have withdrawn the accreditation of eight members of the Russian Mission to NATO," a NATO official said later.