MOSCOW, November 27. /TASS/. Russia plans to expel two journalists of the German ARD media group in response to the closure of Channel One’s German bureau, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.
"In response to the German authorities' ban on the stay and work of Channel One correspondents, we are compelled to take reciprocal measures against journalists working for the Moscow office of the German ARD media group," Zakharova stated. She added that the senior correspondents of this media outlet had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry to be informed of the decision. "In retaliation for Berlin’s unfriendly actions against Russian correspondents, German journalists have been instructed to surrender their accreditation and leave Russia," the diplomat continued.
According to Zakharova, Russia took several practical steps to prevent the situation from escalating. "We offered Berlin various options. However, on May 30, amid unfriendly actions by the German authorities against our media representatives, the Minister Counselor of the German embassy was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. During the conversation, the Russian side made it clear that Berlin's unjustified and hostile actions would not go unanswered. We also emphasized then, and continue to emphasize now, that our aim was constructive cooperation to allow journalists to do their work," the spokeswoman said, adding that Germany had chosen to pursue a counterproductive course.
"In accordance with the principles of media freedom and freedom of speech, and on the basis of reciprocity, we may consider accrediting new ARD employees in our country. However, this would only be possible after the German government creates conditions for Russian journalists and fully restores the operations of Channel One's correspondent office in Berlin," Zakharova concluded.
It was recently reported that the German authorities have decided to shut down the German bureau of Channel One. Employees of the Berlin correspondent office, Ivan Blagoy and Dmitry Volkov, have been ordered to leave the country.