Russia expels five Portuguese diplomats in retaliatory move

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 grata.

 “In a retaliatory measure five staffers of the Portuguese embassy in Russia have been declared as personae non grata. 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.

Source: Itar Tass