VIENNA, March 13. /TASS/. Austrian authorities have not presented any evidence that the expelled Russian diplomats did anything wrong, and therefore Vienna will shoulder responsibility for the deterioration of bilateral relations, the Russian embassy to Austria said in a statement published on its Telegram channel.

"We are outraged by the Austrian Foreign Ministry’s decision to declare two staff members of the Russian embassy persona non gratae. Just like in previous episodes of expulsion, we have not been shown any slightest evidence, much less any proof of the breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It is a purely political decision of the Austrian authorities which we disapprove of categorically. Moscow’s resolute response cannot be called into question. The responsibility for further deterioration of bilateral relations falls squarely on Vienna," the Russian embassy said.

Earlier in the day, Austria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed to TASS that media reports about the decision to expel two Russian diplomats, who allegedly "acted in a manner that is incompatible with their diplomatic status", are true. The diplomats will have to leave Austria by the end of March 19. The Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS later that Moscow would respond to Austria’s decision to expel the diplomats.