Greece declared 12 Russian officials “personae non gratae” on Wednesday in a move which the Russian embassy in Athens has warned will have consequences.
Greece became the latest European nation to expel Russian diplomats, following accusations of atrocities committed by Russian forces against civilians in Ukraine.
The Greek Foreign Ministry said the decision was made in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.
The ministry said its general secretary has notified the Russian ambassador of the decision. Later on the same day, Russia’s embassy in Athens warned of “consequences” in a statement issued via Facebook.
“We have strongly protested against this unjustified and hostile step which aims to further destroy our bilateral relations,” the embassy said in a statement. “We made clear that this action will not remain without consequences.”
The move by Greece comes only four days after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged further support for reconstruction efforts in the war-torn Ukrainian city of Odessa.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Greek Parliament via teleconference on Thursday and asked for “immediate aid” to his country.
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