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18 Feb 2023, 20:01Updated at: 18 Feb 2023, 22:08

Russia to respond to Dutch decision to downsize Russian consulates — MFA

Earlier, the Netherlands decided to cut staff of Russian diplomatic missions and close Russian trade office in Amsterdam
Russian Foreign Ministry Artyom Geodakyan/TASS
Russian Foreign Ministry
© Artyom Geodakyan/TASS

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Russia will respond to the Netherlands’ decision to cut the staff of Russian diplomatic missions in the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS on Saturday.

"Russia will give an appropriate response," the foreign ministry said.

Earlier on Saturday, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Netherlands had decided to reduce the number of Russian diplomats working in the country. The Netherlands Broadcasting Corporation reported that about ten diplomats would be expelled and that they would have to leave the country within two weeks. The Dutch Foreign Ministry said that the talks with Russia on the terms of diplomats’ placement had been unsuccessful to date.

After Russia had launched its special military operation in Ukraine, the Netherlands expelled 17 Russian diplomats. In response, Russia ordered 15 Dutch diplomats out of the country. After that, according to the Dutch foreign ministry, the two countries were in talks on the deployment of new diplomats.