14 Bulgarian diplomats exiled from Russia
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Following the recent expulsion of Russian diplomats and officials from various European countries due to the Ukraine conflict, Russia expels in turn 14 Bulgarian diplomats from the country.
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The Russian embassy in Sofia (Reuters)
In light of Sofia's "unmotivated" decision to expel Russian diplomatic personnel, Russia said Friday it was removing 14 Bulgarian consular and embassy staff as tensions rise over Moscow's position in Ukraine.
Returning the “favor”
Multiple European countries, such as Germany, expelled Russian diplomats as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Russia returning the favor.
70 Russian diplomatic staff were to be expelled from Bulgaria in June - the biggest number dismissed at once from the Balkan country, with the capital simultaneously announcing the temporary closure of Russia's consulate general in northern Bulgaria.
Statement by the foreign ministry of Russia
The Russian foreign ministry stressed that the duty for the consequences of the counterproductive actions taken, lies in the hands of the Bulgarian government, adding: "We believe that such actions not only cause significant damage to traditional ties between our countries... but also testify to the further degradation of the collective West, which is ready to sacrifice the interests of partners in order to harm Russia,".
It further commented that the "unconditional adherence" of Bulgaria "to this destructive line is regrettable".
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