Russia expels 5 Portuguese diplomats in retaliatory move

The Ambassador of Portugal in Moscow, Madalena Fischer, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry to express Moscow's protest against the decision to expel 10 employees of Russia's foreign missions in Portugal.

“It was emphasized that this unfriendly step would have a negative impact on Russian-Portuguese relations,” the Ministry said, adding: “As a response, five employees of the Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in the Russian Federation have been declared ‘persona non grata’”

The Ministry noted that Portuguese diplomats must leave the territory of the country within 14 days from the date of delivery of the relevant note to the Ambassador. (ILKHA)